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Zohran Mamdani unveils all-female transition team as he prepares for New York Mayoralty

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Zohran Mamdani unveils all-female transition team as he prepares for New York Mayoralty

 New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced an all-female transition team on Wednesday as he begins assembling what he described as the most ambitious municipal administration in a generation. The 34-year-old democratic socialist, who will become the city’s first Muslim and first mayor of South Asian heritage, said his team is designed to “build a city hall capable of delivering on the promises of this campaign.”

Speaking at a press conference in Queens, Mamdani introduced Elana Leopold as executive director of the transition team, with Maria Torres-Springer, the city’s former first deputy mayor, and Lina Khan, the former Federal Trade Commission chair under President Joe Biden, serving as co-chairs. They will be joined by Grace Bonilla, president and CEO of United Way, and Melanie Hartzog, former deputy mayor for health and human services.

“In the coming months, I and my team will build a city hall capable of delivering on the promises of this campaign,” Mamdani said. “We will form an administration that is equal parts capable and compassionate, driven by integrity and willing to work just as hard as the millions of New Yorkers who call this city home.”

Mamdani’s choice of Khan — known for her aggressive antitrust stance at the FTC and her popularity among both progressives and populist conservatives — signals his intention to bring reform-minded figures into leadership positions. The mayor-elect said the team’s goal is to ensure readiness by January 1, when he will officially take office.

“We owe it to this city to be ready on January 1 to start delivering,” Mamdani told reporters. “We have 57 days, and those are 57 days to start the work of preparing.”

Mamdani’s victory over Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa marks a historic moment in New York politics, making him the youngest mayor in more than a century and the first born in Africa to lead the city. However, his administration will inherit a host of challenges, including tensions with President Donald Trump, who has publicly threatened to withhold federal funding from New York City under Mamdani’s leadership.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote that if Mamdani became mayor, “it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required,” while labeling him a “communist.” Federal funding currently makes up approximately 6.4% of the city’s $115 billion budget, or about $7.4 billion.

The campaign period saw a surge of Islamophobic attacks directed at Mamdani, who became a U.S. citizen in 2018. Lawmakers including Randy Fine, Andy Ogles, and Chip Roy criticized his candidacy, with some calling for his deportation. A report by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate found that Islamophobic posts about Mamdani rose 450% between September and October.

Despite the hostility, Mamdani reiterated his focus on uniting New Yorkers. “I’m confident in delivering these same policies that we ran on for the last year,” he said. “No matter what your politics, we’re all facing the same issues.”

Mamdani campaigned on a sweeping progressive agenda including a rent freeze, free bus service, universal childcare, and city-run grocery stores, all financed through higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy. His campaign broke fundraising records, amassing over $20 million in small donations averaging just $80.

The transition announcement comes amid broader Democratic victories across the country, including gubernatorial wins by Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia, and the approval of California’s Proposition 50, a redistricting measure aimed at strengthening Democratic congressional prospects.

Mamdani’s incoming administration will begin naming deputy mayors and commissioners in the coming days. “Some of these people will have familiar names, others will not,” he said. “But what will unite them all is a commitment to solving old problems with new solutions.”

“As our city celebrates the inauguration of a new administration,” Mamdani added, “let us also celebrate the beginning of a new era for New York — one we all feel invested in and whose success we all work to achieve.”

Garnacho rescues Chelsea from Champions League setback against Qarabag

Simeon Bateren
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Garnacho rescues Chelsea from Champions League setback against Qarabag

BAKU, Azerbaijan (BN24) — Alejandro Garnacho spared Chelsea from a humiliating Champions League defeat on Wednesday, scoring a crucial second-half equalizer to secure a 2-2 draw with Qarabag at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.

Enzo Maresca’s side appeared headed for an embarrassing night after falling behind to the Azerbaijani champions despite taking an early lead through Estevao Willian. The 18-year-old Brazilian opened the scoring in the 16th minute, converting from close range after a sharp pass from Andrey Santos.

Qarabag hit back with determination. Leandro Andrade struck in the 29th minute after Camilo Duran’s effort came off the post, and Marko Jankovic put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot before halftime following a handball by Jorrel Hato.

Facing the prospect of their first Champions League away loss since 2022, Chelsea turned to Garnacho. The Argentine winger, a summer signing from Manchester United, came off the bench and fired home from the edge of the area just after the break, earning his side a vital point.

Despite Chelsea’s heavy investment of more than £1.5 billion in recent seasons, the London club struggled to impose itself against a Qarabag squad assembled for less than £7 million since 2020. Both teams now sit on seven points from four matches, keeping their hopes alive for a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the last 16.

Maresca’s lineup featured seven changes from the weekend win at Tottenham as Chelsea contended with travel fatigue and a quick turnaround before Saturday’s Premier League clash against Wolves. The Blues, who arrived in Baku only hours before kickoff, failed to capitalize on several late chances, with Enzo Fernandez and Garnacho both denied by Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski.

Once mocked during their debut season in Europe’s top competition, Qarabag have emerged as one of the surprise packages of this campaign, having already beaten Benfica and Copenhagen. Their spirited display against Chelsea underscored why they remain one of the tournament’s most resilient underdogs.

Singapore to enforce mandatory caning for scammers under sweeping new fraud law

Simeon Bateren
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Singapore to enforce mandatory caning for scammers under sweeping new fraud law

SINGAPORE (BN24) — Singapore is set to introduce mandatory caning as a punishment for convicted scammers, under a sweeping new amendment bill aimed at curbing the country’s fast-rising tide of financial fraud and cybercrime.

The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, tabled for its second reading in Parliament on Tuesday, November 5, proposes tougher penalties against those involved in scam syndicates, recruitment operations, and financial mule networks that have defrauded thousands of Singaporeans in recent years.

Announcing the move, Senior Minister of State for Home and Foreign Affairs Sim Ann revealed that Singapore had lost more than S$2.8 billion (US$2.05 billion) to scams between 2020 and the first half of 2025. During that period, authorities recorded around 190,000 scam-related cases, marking an unprecedented surge in financial crime facilitated through digital platforms and cross-border syndicates.

“We will introduce mandatory caning for scammers,” Sim declared during her parliamentary speech. “Offenders who commit scams, defined as cheating mainly by means of remote communication, will be punished with at least six strokes of the cane.”

Sim explained that the measure targets syndicates that “mobilise significant resources to conduct and profit from scams” and whose members display “the highest level of culpability.”

Under the proposed legislation, individuals convicted of participating in scam syndicates including recruiters, financiers, or active members, will face between six and 24 strokes of the cane, in addition to existing imprisonment terms.

Those acting as “money mules”, who facilitate the transfer of stolen or illicit funds, could receive up to 12 strokes at the discretion of the courts. The government stated that the intention is to penalize not only the masterminds but also those knowingly enabling fraudulent operations through their financial or logistical support.

The law also extends to suppliers of scam-enabling tools, such as SIM cards, Singpass credentials, or digital payment accounts, who either intended for the tools to be misused or failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent their abuse. Convicted individuals in such cases may also face mandatory caning alongside other penalties.

Authorities emphasized that these amendments are meant to send a clear deterrent message, as scam cases continue to strain police resources and public confidence in digital transactions.

Singapore currently enforces caning for more than 90 criminal offences, including violent crime, vandalism, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration. Of these, 65 offences already mandate caning as part of sentencing.

While the new bill introduces caning for scam-related crimes, it also reduces mandatory caning to discretionary in certain lesser offences, reflecting a calibrated approach to criminal justice. Sim said, however, that “more serious cases should still result in caning,” highlighting the government’s commitment to maintaining tough penalties for crimes with serious social or financial harm.

Beyond the anti-fraud measures, the amendments also propose strengthened protections for minors and vulnerable individuals, and tougher laws against the large-scale distribution of sexual images or videos. Another key provision criminalizes the doxxing of public servants, defined as the act of publishing private information about individuals online without consent — a growing concern amid harassment incidents targeting law enforcement and government officers.

Scams have become one of Singapore’s most pressing law enforcement challenges. In recent years, fraud syndicates operating from overseas have targeted victims through phishing, fake job offers, and impersonation schemes.

Authorities have launched multiple public education campaigns and joint operations with foreign police to dismantle these syndicates, but the financial toll has continued to rise. The Ministry of Home Affairs said the new law represents a “comprehensive step to match deterrence with accountability”, combining strong enforcement with a clear signal that financial crime carries severe consequences.

While human rights groups have previously criticized the use of caning as a corporal punishment, the Singapore government maintains that it is a “measured and effective deterrent” that reflects the city-state’s zero-tolerance stance toward serious offences.

Inter and AC Milan finalize $231 million San Siro Stadium purchase

Simeon Bateren
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Inter and AC Milan finalize $231 million San Siro Stadium purchase

MILAN (BN24)— Inter Milan and AC Milan have completed the $231 million purchase of the San Siro stadium site, securing a decisive step toward replacing the iconic arena that has long been the home of both Serie A giants. The clubs announced Wednesday that they had signed the deed of sale with the Municipality of Milan, finalizing the acquisition less than a month after the city council approved the deal.

The agreement allows Inter and AC Milan to proceed with ambitious redevelopment plans for the 28-hectare (70-acre) site on the western outskirts of Milan. The clubs had faced a looming deadline, as failure to complete the purchase by next Monday would have triggered a public building protection order for the San Siro’s distinctive second tier, potentially halting demolition plans.

Under the new project, a modern 71,500-seat stadium will be built immediately west of the current ground, on land now used for matchday parking and a public park. The San Siro will remain in use until the new venue is ready for action.

The current stadium, celebrated as football’s La Scala and the longtime home of Italy’s most decorated European champions, will be largely demolished once the replacement arena is complete. The cleared space will be transformed into parkland, offices, and entertainment facilities designed by Foster and Partners in collaboration with MANICA. The overall redevelopment is valued at roughly 1.2 billion euros.

Inter and AC Milan are aiming for the new stadium to be operational in time for Euro 2032, which Italy will co-host with Turkey. Italy’s football federation must submit its five official stadium selections to UEFA by October 2026, a timeline that aligns with construction plans that are expected to begin by March 2027.

Before its final curtain, the San Siro will host a moment of historic significance as it stages the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on February 6.

Cristiano Ronaldo criticizes Manchester United players’ mindset

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Cristiano Ronaldo criticizes Manchester United players’ mindset

LONDON (BN24)— Cristiano Ronaldo has sharply criticized his former club, Manchester United, suggesting that some players lack the mindset necessary to uphold the club’s historic standards.

Speaking to Piers Morgan on his show Piers Morgan Uncensored, Ronaldo described his disappointment over the current state of a team he considers “one of the most important clubs of the century.” He emphasized his sadness at seeing Manchester United struggle, despite its legacy in world football.

Ronaldo, who returned to United last season before departing again, defended current United coach Ruben Amorim, insisting the Portuguese manager is doing all he can under difficult circumstances.

“He is doing his best,” Ronaldo said. “What are you going to do? Miracles. Miracles are impossible. We say in Portugal, ‘Miracles is only in Fatima.’ And he’s not gonna do miracles.”

Despite praising the talent on the squad, Ronaldo questioned whether some players fully understand the responsibilities of representing Manchester United. “They have good players, but they don’t have, some of them, in mind what Manchester United is,” he said.

Ronaldo also criticized the club’s current structure, contrasting it with the foundation that produced legends like Nicky Butt, Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and David Beckham. “You have to follow with the intelligent people, smart people, to create a base for the future as Manchester United have done so many years ago,” he said.

He concluded with cautious hope for the club’s future: “I hope that changes in the future, present/future, because the potential of the club, it’s amazing. It’s one of the most important clubs of the century.”

Death toll rises to 11 after UPS plane explodes in Kentucky

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Death toll rises to 11 after UPS plane explodes in Kentucky

A deadly UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, has now claimed at least 11 lives, including a child, as investigators confirm that one of the aircraft’s engines detached mid-takeoff before the massive explosion that engulfed the area.

Federal officials said Wednesday that the McDonnell Douglas MD-11’s left wing caught fire just before its left engine separated and fell to the runway at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The aircraft, bound for Honolulu, lifted briefly off the ground before crashing near the end of the runway around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Todd Inman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said investigators have recovered both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. The engine was later found on the airfield, confirming early reports from airport surveillance footage showing it detaching during takeoff. “There are a lot of different parts of this airplane in a lot of different places,” Inman said, describing a debris field stretching nearly half a mile.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the toll is expected to grow as search teams continue to comb through wreckage spread across multiple properties near the UPS Worldport, the global air hub for the company. “Finding survivors seems unlikely,” Beshear said, calling the crash “one of the most devastating aviation disasters Kentucky has ever seen.”

The inferno consumed the cargo plane and spread to nearby businesses, including Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts, where the governor said a child who died was with a parent. Smaller explosions continued for hours as crews battled the flames, forcing authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order for neighborhoods north of the airport to the Ohio River.

Fire Chief Mark Little of the Okolona Fire District said recovery efforts are ongoing and expected to take several days. “It will take us quite a while,” he said. “There’s still debris we have to move and search.”

Hospitals in Louisville reported treating at least 18 people, with two in critical condition in the University of Louisville burn unit.

UPS confirmed that the aircraft, built in 1991, was part of its long-haul international fleet and said it is working closely with federal investigators. “We are terribly saddened,” the company said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the families of those affected and our colleagues at Worldport.”

Louisville Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe emphasized the emotional toll the tragedy has taken on the community. “We all know somebody who works at UPS,” she said. “This hits home for everyone in Louisville.”

Experts say the crash bears striking similarities to the 1979 American Airlines disaster at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, in which a DC-10 lost its left engine during takeoff, killing 273 people. Both aircraft models used General Electric engines.

As the NTSB continues to investigate, officials say determining the exact cause could take months. “It could have been an engine separation that ripped out fuel lines or a fire that burned through the mounting,” said former crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti. “It’s too soon to tell.”

Gov. Beshear said Kentucky’s Team Emergency Relief Fund is accepting donations to help victims’ families with funeral and recovery costs. “In Kentucky, we grieve together and we support one another,” he said.

California voters approve Proposition 50 to redraw state’s congressional map, boosting Democrats ahead of 2026 midterms

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California voters approve Proposition 50 to redraw state’s congressional map, boosting Democrats ahead of 2026 midterms

California voters have approved Proposition 50, a ballot measure that will overhaul the state’s congressional map in a move expected to strengthen Democratic prospects in several key districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, CBS News projected Tuesday night.

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a campaign event on Proposition 50, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

The measure — strongly supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic legislative leaders — will replace California’s existing congressional district maps, drawn by the state’s independent redistricting commission, with new maps crafted by the Legislature. The redrawn boundaries aim to make five Republican-held U.S. House seats more competitive for Democrats, a move that Newsom and his allies framed as a response to GOP-led redistricting efforts in states such as Texas.

“It was not just a victory tonight for the Democratic Party — it was a victory for democracy and for the people of this country,” Newsom said after the vote. “We’re proud that California continues to lead the nation in standing up for fairness and representation.”

Reaction across party lines

The passage of Proposition 50 immediately drew both celebration and condemnation.

Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer, a major backer of the initiative, hailed the result as “an enormous victory for our state, our country and our democracy.” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin called it “a testament to the leadership of Governor Newsom and Democrats across California who refused to back down to President Trump and the Republican Party.”

Republicans, however, blasted the measure as partisan gerrymandering disguised as reform. GOP Rep. Kevin Kiley, whose 3rd District is among those affected, said the measure “burns everything down” by escalating the “redistricting arms race” between states.

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, another Republican whose district will be reshaped, vowed legal action. “Should these results stand, the imbalance between rural and urban voices in California will only worsen,” LaMalfa said. “We expect to file suit this week.”

Jessica Millan Patterson, chair of the “No on Prop 50” campaign, called the measure “a power grab by Sacramento elites” and said the campaign’s defeat was due to “tens of millions poured in to promote these gerrymandered maps.”

What Proposition 50 does

Proposition 50 overturns the state’s independent redistricting process, which voters created to ensure nonpartisan mapmaking after the 2020 Census. Under the new law, the Legislature will take over the process, giving Democrats — who already hold 43 of California’s 52 congressional seats — more influence in shaping the districts.

Democrats have said the change is necessary to counter Republican efforts in states like Texas, where recent redistricting has produced five new GOP-leaning congressional districts.

If Proposition 50 had failed, the state would have continued using the existing maps until after the 2030 Census. Instead, new district lines will now be drawn in time for the 2026 midterms.

The road ahead

Republican opponents, led by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and GOP donor Charles Munger Jr., are preparing court challenges. Munger, who spent more than $30 million opposing the measure, said he was “saddened by the passage of Proposition 50” but added that the campaign “educated Californians about the stakes.”

Newsom, meanwhile, urged other Democratic-led states to follow California’s lead. “We need our friends in New York, Illinois, Virginia and Colorado to meet this moment head-on,” he said.

While Proposition 50 gives Democrats a potential advantage in several House races, analysts caution that outcomes in 2026 will still depend on national trends and voter turnout.

Democrats score major wins in first elections since Trump’s return to power

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Democrats score major wins in first elections since Trump’s return to power

Indiana, PA (BN24) – Democrats claimed a series of significant victories in key races across the United States on Tuesday night, marking the party’s strongest electoral performance since President Donald Trump’s return to power. In contests spanning from New York to Virginia and New Jersey, voters rejected Trump-backed candidates and reaffirmed Democratic control in several battleground states and major cities.

In Virginia, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, flipping the governor’s office in a decisive rebuke of Trump’s agenda. Democrats also secured the attorney general’s race and expanded their majority in the state legislature. Spanberger, addressing supporters in Richmond, said voters “chose pragmatism over partisanship” and sent a message that Virginia would not be defined by “chaos or division.”

In New Jersey, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill prevailed over Republican Jack Ciattarelli in the governor’s race, defying GOP hopes for an upset. Meanwhile, in New York City, Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani defeated Trump-endorsed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, further underscoring the widening gap between Trump and urban voters in his hometown.

Democrats also celebrated a structural win in California, where voters approved a new congressional map designed to add up to five additional Democratic seats in next year’s midterm elections.

The results delivered a major morale boost to Democrats, who framed the night as a referendum on Trump’s leadership and his administration’s handling of the economy and federal workforce. “At long last, it’s a fantastic night to be a Democrat,” said Matt Bennett, co-founder of the centrist think tank Third Way, calling the outcome “deep, meaningful, and energizing.”

Republicans, meanwhile, downplayed the results, arguing that the off-year elections were held largely in blue-leaning states and not indicative of national sentiment. A senior Trump adviser described the losses as “a lose-lose scenario” given the president’s limited involvement. Trump himself responded late Tuesday, blaming the results on his absence from the ballot and the ongoing government shutdown, saying, “TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT.”

The NBC News Exit Poll showed that a majority of voters said Trump was not a major factor in their decision. However, among those who cited him as influential, more said they voted to oppose him than to support him.

Democrats quickly cast the victories as a harbinger for the 2026 midterms. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., hailed the outcome as “a rout for Democrats across the country” and said the results underscored voter fatigue with Trump’s policies. “As long as we stay focused on lowering costs and fighting extremism, tonight’s results will be repeated next year,” Jeffries told NBC News.

Republican strategists acknowledged that Trump’s presence continues to polarize key swing-state voters. “Hopefully some folks get the clue that we need to be talking about and doing something about the economy,” said one veteran GOP consultant, adding that Trump’s political team “did not go all-in where it mattered most.”

Even some Democrats warned against overconfidence. Political strategist Michael Ceraso said the results reflect more of a rejection of Trump than a unified Democratic vision. “These elections are more about who we are than about Trump himself,” he said. “Voters may complain about him, but they’re not ready to break up with him yet.”

Still, the night’s overall narrative was clear: in the first major test since Trump’s return to the White House, Democrats showed resilience, energized by concerns about democracy, cost-of-living pressures, and the president’s polarizing leadership.

UPDATED:  At least 3 dead, 11 injured after UPS cargo plane explodes on takeoff in Louisville; Governor warns toll may rise

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UPDATED:  At least 3 dead, 11 injured after UPS cargo plane explodes on takeoff in Louisville; Governor warns toll may rise

Washington (BN24) – At least three people are dead and 11 others injured after a UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded shortly after takeoff Tuesday evening from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Kentucky officials said. The fiery crash has prompted a massive emergency response and a shelter-in-place order for neighborhoods north of the airport amid fears of additional explosions.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, operated by UPS Airlines, crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time while attempting to depart for Honolulu, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Video footage captured flames erupting from the aircraft’s left wing moments before it lifted briefly off the runway, then slammed back down and exploded in a massive fireball that could be seen miles away.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the fatalities late Tuesday and warned that the casualty numbers could rise as rescue crews continue to search the wreckage. “We’re asking all Kentuckians to pray for those that have been impacted,” Beshear told The Associated Press. He said the crash site remains “a very dangerous situation” due to flammable materials and debris scattered across the area.

Emergency crews from across Louisville Metro responded to the scene, battling intense flames as thick smoke billowed into the sky. “Because of the magnitude of the fire, some responders have had to shelter behind different things,” Beshear said.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg described the plane’s fuel load as an “extreme reason for concern,” warning that fire and hazardous materials posed ongoing risks for nearby communities. The crash occurred close to the end of a runway near airport service buildings, leaving debris and twisted metal spread across the tarmac.

The Louisville Metro Emergency Services issued a shelter-in-place order for all areas north of the airport extending to the Ohio River, urging residents to remain indoors as hazardous materials teams worked to secure the site.

The MD-11 aircraft, manufactured in 1991, was part of UPS’s global air fleet based at its Worldport facility in Louisville, the company’s largest package-sorting hub. The facility employs thousands and handles up to 300 daily flights, processing more than 400,000 packages per hour.

UPS released a brief statement acknowledging the crash and confirming it is cooperating fully with federal investigators. “Our focus is on the safety and well-being of our employees and the surrounding community,” the company said.

Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash. Preliminary reports suggest the plane encountered engine trouble moments after takeoff, but officials have not confirmed the cause.

The Louisville airport is located just ten minutes from downtown Louisville, near residential neighborhoods and tourist attractions along the Indiana state line. Authorities have not yet identified the victims.

 Bomb threat on United Airlines plane temporarily grounds all flights at Reagan National Airport

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 Bomb threat on United Airlines plane temporarily grounds all flights at Reagan National Airport

Flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia were temporarily halted Tuesday afternoon after a bomb threat was made against a United Airlines flight arriving from Houston, prompting an immediate security lockdown and large-scale emergency response near the nation’s capital.

The incident began shortly before 11:30 a.m., when air traffic controllers received reports of an “unconfirmed bomb threat” targeting United Flight 512, according to air traffic audio reviewed by WUSA9. Controllers immediately ordered the aircraft to divert from the terminal and instructed pilots to move the plane to a remote area of the tarmac.

“We’ve got to get you away from the airport,” an air traffic controller was heard telling the flight crew. “Someone called and said there was a bomb on 512… they said if it landed, it would explode.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a ground stop was issued, halting all inbound and outbound flights at the busy Washington, D.C.-area airport. Passengers aboard the aircraft were evacuated and bused to the terminal, while the plane was searched by federal and local law enforcement.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed in a post on X that the flight landed safely and that no hazards were found. “Passengers were evacuated, and law enforcement conducted a full search of the aircraft,” Duffy wrote.

By 12:50 p.m., airport officials announced that runways had reopened and normal flight operations had resumed. However, more than 120 flights were delayed, and several incoming aircraft were diverted to other airports during the investigation, according to data from FlightRadar24.

The FBI Washington Field Office later confirmed that its agents had completed a full sweep of the aircraft and found no explosives or threats on board. “The situation has been resolved safely,” the bureau said in a statement.

In an update on social media, Reagan National Airport officials said all operations had been paused “while passengers on a United Airlines flight were being offloaded and bused to the terminal.” The airport urged travelers to check with their airlines for the latest flight information and to expect residual delays throughout the afternoon.

The airport, located less than five miles from the White House and U.S. Capitol, remained under heightened security for several hours following the threat. A person briefed on the incident told Reuters that the response was conducted “out of an abundance of caution.”

United Airlines did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The temporary shutdown underscores the sensitive security environment surrounding the D.C. area, where air traffic disruptions are rare but taken extremely seriously given the airport’s proximity to key government buildings.

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