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 Philippine Air Force helicopter crashes en route to typhoon relief mission; 5 missing

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 Philippine Air Force helicopter crashes en route to typhoon relief mission; 5 missing

Agusan (AP) – A Philippine Air Force helicopter carrying five personnel on board crashed Monday in the southern part of the country while on a mission to assist in Typhoon Kalmaegi relief operations. The disaster has already claimed at least five lives and caused widespread flooding that has left residents stranded on rooftops in several provinces.

The Super Huey chopper went down near Loreto town in Agusan del Sur province as it was en route to deliver humanitarian aid to communities ravaged by the powerful storm, according to a statement from the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command. Rescue efforts are underway to locate the crew members.

Military officials have yet to release details about the condition of the five personnel or the cause of the crash. The incident underscores the perilous conditions faced by emergency responders in a nation frequently battered by severe weather and natural disasters.

Typhoon Kalmaegi, packing sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (81 mph) and gusts up to 180 kph (112 mph), was last sighted near Jordan town in Guimaras province. It is expected to move into the South China Sea by late Tuesday or early Wednesday after making landfall in the western province of Palawan.

Authorities reported several fatalities linked to the storm, including an elderly man who drowned in floodwaters in Southern Leyte and another person killed by a fallen tree in Bohol. In Cebu province, three additional deaths were confirmed as heavy rainfall and flooding inundated multiple towns.

Philippine Red Cross Secretary-General Gwendolyn Pang said numerous residents in coastal Liloan town, Cebu, were trapped on their rooftops as floodwaters rose. “We have received so many calls from people asking us to rescue them from roofs and from their houses, but it’s impossible,” Pang told The Associated Press. “There are so many debris, you see cars floating — we have to wait for the flood to subside.”

The devastation comes as Cebu is still reeling from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck on September 30, killing at least 79 people and displacing thousands.

In Eastern Samar, which bore the brunt of Kalmaegi’s early landfall, fierce winds tore off roofs and damaged about 300 homes on Homonhon Island, part of Guiuan town. “There was no flooding at all, but just strong wind,” said Mayor Annaliza Gonzales Kwan. “We’re OK. We’ll make this through. We’ve been through a lot, and bigger than this.”

Guiuan was among the areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, which left more than 7,300 people dead or missing and displaced over four million.

Ahead of Kalmaegi’s landfall, disaster officials evacuated more than 387,000 residents from high-risk areas across the eastern and central Philippines. Authorities warned of torrential rain, destructive winds, and storm surges up to three meters (10 feet) high.

Interisland ferries and fishing boats were grounded due to rough seas, stranding over 3,500 passengers and truck drivers in nearly 100 ports. At least 186 domestic flights were also canceled.

The Philippines, hit by about 20 typhoons and storms each year, remains one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations, also facing frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Dick Cheney, influential and polarizing former Vice President, dies at 84

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Dick Cheney, influential and polarizing former Vice President, dies at 84

Indiana, PA (BN24) – Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at the age of 84, his family confirmed in a statement released Saturday.

Dick Cheney

Cheney, who served as vice president under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, passed away on November 3 after suffering from pneumonia and long-term cardiac and vascular disease.

“Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing,” his family’s statement read. “We are grateful beyond measure for all Dick Cheney did for our country. And we are blessed beyond measure to have loved and been loved by this noble giant of a man.”

Cheney’s health had been fragile for decades. He suffered multiple heart attacks over his lifetime and underwent a heart transplant in 2012, which he later described as “the gift of life itself.”

A Wyoming native, Cheney’s public service career spanned five decades. Before becoming vice president, he served as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford and later as Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush, overseeing the U.S.-led coalition victory in the 1991 Gulf War.

But it was his tenure as vice president that cemented Cheney’s reputation as one of the most influential — and divisive — figures in American history.

When terrorists struck the United States on September 11, 2001, Cheney was in the White House bunker coordinating the nation’s immediate response. “At that moment, you knew this was a deliberate act,” he later told CNN. “This was a terrorist act.”

In the years that followed, Cheney became the chief architect of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, asserting that Saddam Hussein’s regime possessed weapons of mass destruction and maintained ties with al-Qaeda — claims that were later discredited. His advocacy for the war and for the use of “enhanced interrogation techniques” made him a lightning rod for criticism both domestically and abroad.

Despite widespread backlash, Cheney never wavered in his defense of those decisions. In a 2014 interview, he told the Senate Intelligence Committee, “I would do it again in a minute.”

Cheney’s influence during the Bush administration earned him the label of “the most powerful vice president in U.S. history.” Yet, it also left him one of the most polarizing — leaving office in 2009 with an approval rating of just 31 percent, according to the Pew Research Center.

Dick Cheney and George Bush

In his later years, Cheney became increasingly outspoken against Donald Trump, appearing in a 2022 campaign ad for his daughter, Liz Cheney, in which he declared, “In our nation’s 246-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.”

“He is a coward,” Cheney said in the ad. “A real man wouldn’t lie to his supporters. He lost his election, and he lost big.”

His daughter, Liz Cheney, a Republican congresswoman from Wyoming, confirmed that her father had planned to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, marking a rare public break from the GOP.

Cheney is survived by his wife Lynne Cheney, and daughters Liz and Mary Cheney, both of whom have followed him into politics. Mary Cheney, who is openly gay, has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights within the Republican Party.

Cheney’s legacy was dramatized in the 2018 biographical film Vice, in which Christian Bale portrayed him. The film — a dark political satire directed by Adam McKay — received critical acclaim for Bale’s performance but was considered a modest commercial success, grossing $76 million worldwide against a $60 million budget.

As tributes pour in from political allies and rivals alike, Cheney’s passing marks the end of an era for a man whose tenure reshaped American foreign policy — and whose influence on Washington politics will be debated for generations.

Worker dies after partial collapse of Rome’s 13th-century Torre dei Conti during restoration

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Worker dies after partial collapse of Rome’s 13th-century Torre dei Conti during restoration

ROME (BN24) — A construction worker has died following the partial collapse of the Torre dei Conti, a 13th-century medieval tower in the heart of Rome, where restoration work funded by the European Union was underway.

The victim, identified as Octay Stroici, a Romanian national, was trapped beneath rubble for nearly twelve hours after a section of the historic structure gave way Monday near the Imperial Forum and Colosseum. He was rescued around 11 p.m. local time but went into cardiac arrest while being transported to the hospital. Doctors were unable to revive him, hospital officials confirmed.

The collapse occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time when the façade of the ancient tower suddenly crumbled, sending a cascade of debris into the street and engulfing the area in thick dust. Three workers were on-site at the time. Two managed to escape, while Stroici was buried beneath tons of rubble.

One survivor, a 67-year-old worker identified only as Ottaviano, escaped through a balcony moments after the initial collapse. Covered in dust but uninjured, he described the harrowing experience to reporters. “It was not safe. I just want to go home,” he told AFP.

Firefighters and emergency responders launched an extensive rescue operation that lasted through the night. Using cranes, drones, and specialized rubble-clearing equipment, crews worked carefully amid fears of a further collapse. Their efforts were briefly interrupted when another portion of the 29-meter (90-foot) structure gave way, forcing them to pause before resuming the search.

Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli visited the site to oversee rescue efforts. Mayor Gualtieri called the collapse “a profound tragedy in the heart of our city” and promised a full investigation into what went wrong.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed condolences on X, writing before Stroici’s death was confirmed: “My thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the person currently fighting for his life beneath the rubble, and to his family.”

Authorities later confirmed that Stroici had been conscious and speaking with rescuers during the operation, as his wife waited anxiously nearby. His death, which occurred just minutes after being freed, has sparked questions about safety standards on EU-funded heritage projects.

The Rome Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into the incident to determine whether negligence or structural weaknesses contributed to the collapse. Another worker remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The Torre dei Conti, constructed in 1203 under Pope Innocent III as a residence for his brother, is one of the most important medieval landmarks in Rome. It stands just steps away from the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, two of Italy’s most visited tourist attractions. The tower, which had long been closed to the public, was undergoing a major restoration aimed at stabilizing its structure and preserving its architectural heritage.

The tragedy has renewed scrutiny over the risks of restoring ancient structures in densely populated urban centers. Preservationists have warned that centuries-old buildings often present unpredictable hazards during renovation.

Prefect Lamberto Giannini described the situation as “very complex,” praising firefighters for risking their lives during the rescue. “They shielded the worker as much as possible after the initial collapse,” he said. “The operation was extremely dangerous, but they never stopped trying.”

Emergency crews have since stabilized the remaining structure, and police have cordoned off surrounding streets to protect the public. Early assessments indicate no immediate risk of total disintegration, though engineers are continuing to monitor the site.

As investigators begin to piece together the cause of the collapse, the tragedy at Torre dei Conti stands as a sobering reminder of the delicate balance between preserving history and ensuring worker safety in one of the world’s most ancient cities.

Trump says it would be ‘hard’ to fund New York if Zohran Mamdani wins mayoral election

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Trump says it would be ‘hard’ to fund New York if Zohran Mamdani wins mayoral election

Washington (BN24) – President Donald Trump warned that it would be difficult for his administration to allocate federal funding to New York City if left-wing candidate Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor, suggesting that federal resources would be “wasted” under what he described as a “Communist” local government.

“It’s gonna be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York, because if you have a Communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there,” Trump said during a televised interview aired Sunday.

The remarks come just days before New Yorkers head to the polls in a closely watched mayoral race between Mamdani, a progressive state assemblyman, and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Polls show Mamdani holding a narrow lead heading into Tuesday’s election, positioning him as the potential first socialist-leaning mayor of the city in decades.

New York City currently receives roughly $7.4 billion in federal funding annually, supporting a wide range of infrastructure, housing, and public safety projects. Trump did not elaborate on whether his administration would move to reduce that funding if Mamdani wins but made clear his skepticism toward the progressive candidate’s agenda.

During a wide-ranging interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Trump compared Mamdani unfavorably to former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who served from 2014 to 2021. “I got to see de Blasio, how bad a mayor he was, and this man will do a worse job than de Blasio by far,” Trump said.

Trump, who grew up in the Queens borough of New York, appeared to tacitly endorse Mamdani’s rival, Andrew Cuomo, despite Cuomo’s affiliation with the Democratic Party. “I’m not a fan of Cuomo one way or the other,” Trump said. “But if it’s gonna be between a bad Democrat and a Communist, I’m gonna pick the bad Democrat all the time, to be honest with you.”

Mamdani, 34, a state assemblyman representing Queens, identifies as a democratic socialist but has rejected accusations of communism, dismissing Trump’s remarks with humor. “I’m kind of like a Scandinavian politician—only browner,” Mamdani joked during a recent television interview.

The candidate has framed his campaign as a progressive alternative to establishment politics, arguing that his vision for the city centers on economic fairness and human dignity. “The answer to a Donald Trump presidency is not to create its mirror image here in City Hall,” Mamdani said Monday. “It is to create an alternative that believes in the dignity of everyone who calls this place home.”

Cuomo, meanwhile, has positioned himself as the pragmatic choice, emphasizing his executive experience and his ability to navigate federal politics. “I fought Donald Trump,” Cuomo said during a recent debate. “When I’m fighting for New York, I am not going to stop.”

As governor during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuomo clashed repeatedly with the Trump administration over public health and funding issues, though his tenure later drew criticism after investigations revealed that the state had significantly underreported nursing home deaths.

The Trump administration has a history of targeting Democratic-led cities through federal funding cuts and increased security measures. Trump has previously deployed National Guard troops to major urban areas as part of a broader anti-crime initiative and moved to strip federal dollars from jurisdictions that limit cooperation with immigration enforcement agencies.

With the New York City mayoral election imminent, Trump’s latest remarks underscore the sharp ideological divide shaping urban governance and federal policy — a rift that could deepen further depending on Tuesday’s outcome.

 Trump preparing to deploy U.S. troops and drones to Mexico in escalating war on narco-terrorists

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 Trump preparing to deploy U.S. troops and drones to Mexico in escalating war on narco-terrorists

Washington (TheSun)- President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to deploy U.S. troops and drone units into Mexico as part of an intensifying campaign to combat drug cartels smuggling narcotics into the United States. The move marks a significant escalation in Trump’s self-declared “war on narco-terrorists,” extending military operations beyond U.S. borders.

According to NBC News, the Trump administration is currently in the early stages of planning a joint special operations mission targeting drug cartels operating inside Mexican territory. Two U.S. officials familiar with the discussions said preliminary planning has already taken place in Mexico, with American forces being trained for potential deployment.

While no immediate deployment has been ordered, senior administration and defense officials are said to be weighing the scope of the potential operation. The mission, if approved, would operate under the Pentagon’s Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and within the framework of Title 50 of U.S. legal code, which governs national security operations.

Under the proposed plan, drone strikes would serve as the main tactical tool, with limited ground forces positioned nearby to ensure operational safety. Unlike past administrations that provided covert intelligence and logistical support to Mexico’s anti-cartel efforts, Trump’s strategy would involve direct U.S. military engagement on foreign soil.

“The Trump administration is committed to utilizing an all-of-government approach to address the threats cartels pose to American citizens,” a senior official told NBC News, declining to confirm operational details.

The new plan follows a series of U.S. drone strikes in the Caribbean that destroyed vessels allegedly carrying narcotics bound for U.S. ports. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has shared several surveillance videos showing drone strikes on suspected smuggling freighters, vowing to treat “any foreign group bringing drugs into America exactly like Al-Qaeda.”

Trump has long identified the influx of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids as a national security crisis, calling the drug epidemic “the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45.”

Despite Trump’s assurances that he wishes to avoid a direct military confrontation with Mexico, the proposed plan has already drawn criticism from international leaders. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly rejected any form of U.S. intervention, saying her government would accept coordination but not subordination.

“We reject any form of intervention or interference,” Sheinbaum said at a press conference. “Mexico coordinates and collaborates, but does not subordinate itself.”

Critics have also raised legal concerns over Trump’s reported decision to bypass congressional authorization for military strikes against cartel targets. “I don’t think we’re going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war,” Trump told reporters earlier this year. “I think we’re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. We’re going to kill them.”

Tensions have also flared with Venezuela, where the U.S. Navy deployed the world’s largest warship off the country’s coast as part of a wider anti-narcotics mission. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has warned that his country is ready to retaliate, claiming to have Russian missiles prepared “in case of conflict.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations has condemned the ongoing U.S. strikes in the Caribbean, which have reportedly killed more than 60 people since September. U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk described the actions as “unacceptable,” warning that no international law currently justifies such cross-border operations.

“These attacks and their mounting human cost are unacceptable,” Türk said Friday. “All parties must immediately step back from escalation and return to lawful, cooperative measures to address drug trafficking.”

4 injured in train derailment in Cumbria after suspected landslide

Simeon Bateren
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4 injured in train derailment in Cumbria after suspected landslide

CUMBRIA, UK (BN24) — A train traveling from Glasgow to London derailed in the early hours of Monday morning after being struck by a suspected landslide in the remote hills of northwest England, authorities said. The incident, which occurred around 6:10 AM near Shap, Cumbria, resulted in four passengers sustaining minor injuries, though no one required hospital treatment.

The train, an Avanti West Coast service traveling from Scotland to London Euston station, derailed in an area known for its challenging terrain and frequently unpredictable weather. The location, situated near the mountainous Lake District, has long been prone to heavy rainfall and landslides, factors that may have contributed to the derailment.

“We’re investigating a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria following a report from the train driver,” said a spokesperson from Network Rail, the organization responsible for Britain’s rail infrastructure. “The area has been experiencing significant adverse weather, including heavy rainfall, which may have been a contributing factor to the suspected landslip.”

According to British Transport Police, the incident occurred when the front carriage of the train came off the tracks but remained upright. Fortunately, the train did not overturn, preventing more serious injuries. Authorities confirmed that approximately 85 people were on board when the derailment happened.

Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene, and passengers were escorted off the train. The North West Ambulance Service stated that they assessed a total of 87 people at the scene, with only four passengers reported to have suffered minor injuries. These individuals were treated on-site and did not require further medical attention.

“Our priority is the well-being of everyone who was on board, and we are working closely with emergency services to ensure passengers are safely off the train,” an Avanti West Coast spokesperson said. “We are committed to assisting those affected by this incident and will continue to cooperate with authorities as they investigate the cause of the derailment.”

The train’s derailment disrupted rail services in the region, with all train traffic north of Preston, a major city in northwest England, coming to a halt. The line, which connects London to the northern parts of the UK, is a critical transportation route, and the incident has caused significant travel delays.

“We are doing everything we can to clear the line and restore normal services as soon as possible,” said a Network Rail spokesperson. “Safety is our top priority, and we are working hard to investigate the cause of the derailment.”

Shap, a village located in Cumbria, lies at the heart of the Lake District, an area renowned for its scenic beauty and also its challenging weather conditions. The region had been experiencing significant rainfall in the days leading up to the incident, which had already led to warnings about potential landslides.

The derailment is currently under investigation by Network Rail, and British Transport Police are also conducting inquiries. The incident follows a troubling series of events, including a mass stabbing on a train traveling between Doncaster and London just two days earlier. In that attack, 10 people were injured, and one victim remains in critical condition.

This latest derailment is a reminder of the challenges faced by the UK’s rail infrastructure, particularly in areas prone to extreme weather conditions. An annual report from the UK’s Office of Rail and Road revealed that there were five derailments across the country in the 12 months leading to March, two of which involved passenger trains.

Authorities are urging the public to stay informed about further disruptions in rail services as the investigation continues.

2 men arrested in Michigan for alleged ISIS-inspired Halloween attack plot

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2 men arrested in Michigan for alleged ISIS-inspired Halloween attack plot

MICHIGAN, USA (BN24) — Two U.S. citizens were arrested Friday for allegedly planning an ISIS-inspired attack on Halloween, authorities revealed Monday. The plot, which was intercepted by the FBI, involved the men purchasing firearms, including an AR-15-style rifle and a shotgun, and discussing the logistics of carrying out a terrorist attack, officials said.

According to court records, Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, both from Michigan, had allegedly been conspiring to carry out a violent attack on or around Halloween. The men reportedly referred to their plan as “Pumpkin Day,” a coded term that suggested an attack during the Halloween period. The FBI had been monitoring their activities for several months before making the arrests.

Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the FBI’s efforts in preventing the attack, stating, “Thanks to the diligent work of law enforcement, the plot was stopped before innocent lives were lost.”

The investigation revealed that the men had been preparing for their attack by purchasing various firearms, including an AR-15-style rifle and a shotgun, as well as a “forced reset trigger” to modify the semi-automatic weapons, increasing their rate of fire. The FBI also found multiple handguns, tactical vests, and over 1,600 rounds of ammunition during a search of the men’s homes on Friday.

According to the Justice Department, Ali and Mahmoud practiced shooting at firing ranges around Michigan and discussed their plans in encrypted online communications. They allegedly shared extremist and ISIS-related materials, encouraging attacks similar to those carried out by the terrorist group in the past.

The FBI investigation began when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer discovered disturbing materials on the phone of one of the unnamed co-conspirators during a routine check upon their return to the United States. The phone contained “Google searches related to ISIS and the Islamic State” as well as pictures of the co-conspirator in military-style clothing with weapons.

The investigation revealed that Ali and Mahmoud had discussed traveling overseas to join ISIS fighters, and while abroad, they allegedly plotted an attack in the U.S., discussing the possibility of carrying out a mass shooting similar to the 2015 Paris terror attacks and the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, which ISIS had claimed responsibility for.

On October 17, Ali allegedly told an unnamed individual, “We’ve got some new plan for real – for real,” and urged them to “learn how to shoot.” This conversation was followed by plans to hold a meeting to discuss how to proceed with the attack. Documents indicated that the men referred to their plot using the term “pumpkins,” potentially as a reference to Halloween, indicating the planned timing of their attack.

Despite some reluctance expressed by Ali on October 19, the conversations continued, with references to “pumpkin” signaling an impending attack. Ali reportedly told one individual, “If that happens, the thing is you won’t know once you see it on the news, the open news.” By October 24, discussions were continuing, with one co-conspirator confirming that “we are going to do pumpkin.”

Authorities have not disclosed the full details of the planned attack, but emphasized that their swift action prevented what could have been a devastating tragedy. The FBI’s ability to intercept the plot before it could unfold is a testament to the increasing vigilance of U.S. law enforcement in addressing domestic terrorism.

“The Justice Department remains committed to thwarting extremist threats and protecting the safety of our communities from those who would seek to harm,” said an FBI spokesperson. “We will continue to investigate and take action against those who attempt to carry out these dangerous plans.”

The arrests came just days before Halloween, one of the busiest holidays in the United States, prompting heightened concern over the potential for violent events. U.S. officials have warned that the threat from domestic extremist groups remains a significant concern.

The case marks another example of the FBI’s ongoing efforts to prevent terrorist attacks within the U.S. It also highlights the growing trend of extremist ideologies being spread through encrypted messaging services and online platforms.

While Ali and Mahmoud have been arrested, the investigation remains ongoing, with the FBI continuing to probe the full extent of the conspiracy and potential links to other co-conspirators. Officials have not yet indicated whether additional arrests are expected.

The Justice Department’s National Security Division has vowed to continue its efforts to disrupt terrorist plots, emphasizing that “preventing acts of terrorism is of utmost importance to the safety of Americans.”

As authorities continue their investigations, experts are urging heightened vigilance and awareness of the ongoing threat posed by domestic terrorism and the radicalization of individuals through online platforms.

 Libyan delegation in Beirut pushes for release of Muammar Gadhafi’s son held in Lebanon

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 Libyan delegation in Beirut pushes for release of Muammar Gadhafi’s son held in Lebanon

A Libyan delegation in Lebanon met Monday with senior judicial officials to advance discussions over the potential release of Hannibal Gadhafi, the son of late Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi, who has been detained without trial in Lebanon since 2015.

The five-member delegation held meetings with three top Lebanese judicial figures, including prosecutor Jamal Hajar, according to four officials familiar with the talks who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The discussions focused on easing bail conditions and lifting a travel ban imposed on Gadhafi, who is accused of withholding information about the fate of Lebanese Shiite cleric Moussa al-Sadr — missing since 1978 — despite having been less than three years old at the time.

A Lebanese judge had ordered Gadhafi’s release last month on an $11 million bail, but his legal team said he could not afford the amount. The Libyan delegation requested a significant reduction in bail and the removal of the travel ban, proposing that Gadhafi be allowed to leave Lebanon for Qatar, where he is expected to settle.

The officials said the delegation also handed over a detailed report regarding the decades-old disappearance of al-Sadr, a prominent cleric who vanished during a visit to Libya with two companions, Abbas Badreddine and Mohammed Yacoub. The case remains one of Lebanon’s most contentious political mysteries.

Hostage Aid Worldwide, a Washington-based advocacy group, has been pressing for Gadhafi’s release, citing his deteriorating health and prolonged detention without due process. The organization has been in talks with senior Lebanese authorities in recent weeks to ensure compliance with international legal standards.

Gadhafi’s arrest has long strained ties between Tripoli and Beirut. In a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, the Libyan delegation said Tripoli was eager to restore bilateral relations and resolve outstanding disputes. Aoun’s office later confirmed that he supported efforts to strengthen cooperation between both nations.

Hannibal Gadhafi had been living in exile in Syria with his Lebanese wife, Aline Skaf, and their children until he was abducted in 2015 by Lebanese militants demanding information about al-Sadr’s fate. Lebanese police later announced that they had taken him into custody in the city of Baalbek. Since then, he has remained jailed in Beirut.

Al-Sadr, who founded a Shiite political and military group active during Lebanon’s 1975–1990 civil war, would be 96 years old if still alive. His family has maintained hope he might still be held in Libya, though most Lebanese believe he was killed decades ago.

Moammar Gadhafi, who ruled Libya for more than 40 years, was overthrown and killed during the country’s 2011 uprising. Hannibal fled with relatives to Algeria before settling in Syria, where he was granted political asylum until his abduction.

The late Libyan leader had eight children. Several played key roles in his government, with some killed during the 2011 conflict and others living in exile. His son Seif al-Islam, once considered his heir, remains in Libya following his release in 2017.

The latest diplomatic efforts suggest that a resolution for Hannibal Gadhafi’s long detention could soon be within reach, potentially closing a case that has lingered for nearly half a century at the intersection of Lebanese justice and Libyan politics.

 Trump vows he “Won’t Be Extorted” by Democrats, rejects talks as government shutdown deepens

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 Trump vows he “Won’t Be Extorted” by Democrats, rejects talks as government shutdown deepens

Washington (BN24) – President Donald Trump said he “won’t be extorted” by Democrats demanding an extension of health care subsidies, signaling that he has no intention of negotiating as the partial U.S. government shutdown nears its sixth week. In an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes on Sunday, Trump accused Democrats of losing their way and insisted that the deadlock is their responsibility.

“I think they have to [vote],” Trump said. “And if they don’t, it’s their problem.”

The standoff has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay and raised uncertainty for millions of Americans reliant on federal aid programs such as SNAP. With Senate Democrats blocking repeated GOP efforts to reopen the government, both sides remain far apart on how to resolve the crisis, which has already become one of the longest shutdowns in U.S. history.

Democrats insist that the government must remain closed until Republicans agree to negotiate an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at year’s end. Senate Democrats have now voted 13 times against measures to reopen the government, arguing that without a commitment to protect health care coverage, any deal is incomplete.

Trump, meanwhile, has doubled down on his call to scrap the Senate filibuster—a procedural rule requiring 60 votes to pass major legislation—arguing that it prevents Republicans from advancing their agenda. “Republicans have to get tougher,” Trump said. “If we end the filibuster, we can do exactly what we want.”

Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, have rejected Trump’s proposal, calling the rule essential to the Senate’s institutional balance. “We need five [Democrats] with a backbone to say we care more about the lives of the American people than about gaining some political leverage,” Thune said as the Senate adjourned for the weekend.

The shutdown’s effects are rippling nationwide. Air traffic controllers and other essential workers have missed multiple paychecks, leading to staffing shortages and flight delays. On Sunday, New York City’s emergency management department reported significant delays at Newark Airport due to “staffing shortages in the control tower,” warning of possible ground stops if conditions worsen.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the situation could deteriorate further. “Many workers are confronted with a decision: do I put food on my kids’ table, do I pay my rent, or do I go to work and not get paid?” he said on ABC’s This Week.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture has faced scrutiny after planning to withhold $8 billion in SNAP food assistance until two federal judges ordered the administration to release the funds. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Trump of attempting to “weaponize hunger,” arguing that the administration has prioritized political leverage over public welfare.

At the center of the shutdown is a disagreement over health care subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act. Trump criticized the law as “terrible,” telling CBS that Democrats should first vote to reopen the government before any reforms can be negotiated.

Democrats, however, maintain that extending the subsidies—originally expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic—is essential to prevent premium hikes for millions of Americans. “We want to sit down with [Senate Majority Leader John] Thune, [House Speaker Mike] Johnson, and Trump to negotiate a way to address this horrible health care crisis,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said.

The standoff echoes the 35-day shutdown in 2018–2019, which ended only after Trump backed down from his demand for border wall funding amid mounting public pressure and airport chaos.

With both sides entrenched, the political and economic costs continue to rise. Trump’s allies argue that Democrats are holding Americans “hostage” over a partisan issue, while Democrats say Trump’s refusal to compromise is causing real harm to millions.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner expressed cautious optimism that the shutdown could end soon, noting Trump’s return to Washington. “Republicans can’t move on anything without a Trump sign-off,” Warner said on CBS’s Face the Nation.

But for now, there is no clear path forward — and each day of the shutdown deepens the toll on workers, families, and the country’s fragile political balance.

Top 10 US billionaires’ collective wealth grew by $698bn in past year – report

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Top 10 US billionaires’ collective wealth grew by $698bn in past year – report

(theguardian) – The combined wealth of the top 10 U.S. billionaires soared by $698 billion in the past year, underscoring the deepening divide between America’s richest and the rest of its citizens, according to a new report from Oxfam America released Monday. The report warns that President Donald Trump’s economic policies risk driving U.S. inequality to unprecedented levels, even as decades of decisions from both major parties have helped widen the wealth gap.

Drawing from Federal Reserve data spanning 1989 to 2022, researchers found that the top 1% of American households gained 101 times more wealth than the median household during that period — and 987 times more than households in the bottom 20th percentile of income. In raw terms, that’s an average gain of $8.35 million per top 1% household, compared with $83,000 for the average household.

Oxfam’s findings paint a stark picture of an economy increasingly tilted toward the ultra-rich. While billionaires amass historic fortunes, over 40% of Americans — including nearly half of all children — live in low-income families, earning less than twice the national poverty line.

When compared to 38 high-income countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United States ranks worst in relative poverty, second-highest in child poverty and infant mortality, and second-lowest in life expectancy.

“Inequality is a policy choice,” said Rebecca Riddell, senior policy lead for economic justice at Oxfam America. “These comparisons show us that we can make very different choices when it comes to poverty and inequality in our society.”

Oxfam: Decades of Policy Favor the Wealthy

The report argues that the U.S. tax code, social safety net, and labor protections have been gradually dismantled, transforming concentrated wealth into concentrated political power. Oxfam identified President Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill,” passed by Congress in May, as one of the largest upward transfers of wealth in decades, reducing taxes for corporations and high-income earners.

But the charity emphasized that both Republican and Democratic administrations have contributed to rising inequality through decades of tax cuts, deregulation, and reductions in social support.

“Policymakers have been choosing inequality, and those choices have had bipartisan support,” Riddell said. “From cuts to taxes and the social safety net to weakening labor rights, these policy reforms have had backing from both parties.”

The Path Forward

Oxfam outlined a series of policy recommendations aimed at reversing the wealth gap, including reforms to campaign finance laws and antitrust regulations, progressive taxation on the wealthy and corporations, strengthening social safety nets, and protecting workers’ unions.

However, the report acknowledges that these reforms face significant political challenges due to long-standing stigmas attached to welfare and taxation — remnants of rhetoric popularized during the Reagan era, such as the “welfare queen” myth.

“What’s really needed is a different kind of politics,” Riddell said. “One that focuses on delivering for ordinary people by rapidly reducing inequality. There are sensible, proven reforms that could go a long way to reversing the troubling trends we see.”

A Grassroots Push for Change

Despite limited progress at the federal level, Oxfam highlights community leaders working on the front lines to reduce inequality. Representatives from United Workers Maryland, featured in the report, said that public frustration with economic disparity could provide a crucial moment for reform.

“I think it’s brilliant that they see this as an opportunity,” Riddell added. “This is a moment to look around and realize our broader power — that we can demand a system that works for everyone, not just for those at the very top.”

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