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Trump orders resumption of U.S. nuclear weapons testing after 30-year freeze

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Trump orders resumption of U.S. nuclear weapons testing after 30-year freeze

SEOUL, South Korea (BN24) — President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. military to resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time in more than three decades, a move that marks a sharp shift in long-standing American defense policy and raises global concerns about a new nuclear arms race.

In a social media post late Wednesday, just before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, Trump announced that he had instructed the Department of War to begin testing nuclear weapons “on an equal basis” with Russia and China.

“Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” Trump wrote. He added that the process would “begin immediately.”

The United States, which has not conducted a nuclear weapons test since 1992, possesses the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, followed by Russia and then China, which Trump called a “distant third.” The announcement came only days after Trump condemned Russia for testing a nuclear-powered missile reportedly capable of unlimited range.

Trump acknowledged the “tremendous destructive power” of nuclear arms but said he had “no choice” but to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal during his first term to ensure military parity with global rivals. “China’s nuclear program will be even within five years,” Trump warned, suggesting an urgent need to strengthen deterrence.

The timing of the announcement—issued as Trump was en route aboard Marine One to meet Xi at Gimhae International Airport—underscored the geopolitical stakes. After their meeting, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the locations of upcoming U.S. nuclear tests had not yet been determined but insisted such measures were “appropriate” to match other nations’ testing efforts.

The United States last tested a nuclear bomb on September 23, 1992, at an underground site in Nevada. That experiment, known as “Divider,” marked the country’s 1,054th nuclear weapons test. Former President George H.W. Bush issued a moratorium on testing later that year as the Cold War came to a close.

Russia announced over the weekend that it had successfully tested two new delivery systems capable of carrying nuclear warheads, including a missile designed to evade U.S. defenses and an underwater drone known as Poseidon. While neither test involved an actual nuclear detonation, the developments heightened global tensions.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, China has nearly doubled its nuclear arsenal over the past five years and could surpass 1,000 warheads by 2030. The U.S. currently maintains an estimated 5,225 warheads, while Russia’s stockpile sits at roughly 5,580, according to the Arms Control Association.

Trump’s directive also comes roughly 100 days before the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between the U.S. and Russia is set to expire in February 2026. The treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the two nations, caps each side at 1,550 deployed warheads capable of crossing continents.

The Nevada Test Site, located about 65 miles north of Las Vegas, remains operational and could be reactivated if authorized, according to the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History.

The U.S. first entered the nuclear age with the Trinity test in July 1945 in Alamogordo, New Mexico, before dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki later that year—actions that ended World War II but ushered in the nuclear era.

 5 more arrested in $102 million Louvre jewel heist as stolen French Crown Jewels remain missing

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 5 more arrested in $102 million Louvre jewel heist as stolen French Crown Jewels remain missing

French authorities have arrested five additional suspects in connection with the daring theft of French crown jewels from the Louvre Museum, intensifying one of France’s most sensational art heist investigations in recent history. Despite the arrests, the priceless treasures remain missing.

Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced Thursday that the suspects were detained late Wednesday night in Paris and its surrounding region. Their identities have not been released. One of the detainees is believed to be part of the four-person crew that stormed the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery in broad daylight on Oct. 19, escaping with jewels valued at 88 million euros ($102 million).

The heist, which lasted less than eight minutes, stunned France and the global art world. Thieves reportedly forced open a window, cut through glass display cases with power tools, and fled with eight ornate pieces from the historic French crown jewel collection before security could intervene.

Two other members of the robbery team were previously arrested on Sunday and formally charged Wednesday with criminal conspiracy and theft committed by an organized gang. Prosecutor Beccuau said both suspects partially admitted their roles in the crime during questioning.

“Searches last night and overnight did not allow us to find the goods,” Beccuau told RTL radio Thursday morning, confirming that investigators are still working to trace the missing jewels.

The Louvre Museum, home to some of the world’s most celebrated masterpieces, has not publicly commented on the arrests. Security measures at the institution have reportedly been reviewed and reinforced since the incident.

The heist has revived memories of previous high-profile European art thefts and renewed debate over the vulnerability of even the most secure museums.

Associated Press story

 Hurricane Melissa leaves trail of death and destruction across the Caribbean, killing nearly 30 in Haiti

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 Hurricane Melissa leaves trail of death and destruction across the Caribbean, killing nearly 30 in Haiti

Hurricane Melissa barreled through the Caribbean on Wednesday, leaving behind a trail of death and devastation that stretched from Cuba to Haiti. Authorities confirmed that at least 25 people were killed in Haiti alone, while the total regional death toll approached 30 as rescue operations continued in Jamaica and Cuba.

Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as the strongest hurricane ever to strike the island, packing sustained winds of 185 mph (298 kph). The Category 5 storm flattened communities, shredded power lines, and left more than three-quarters of the country without electricity.

By Wednesday evening, Melissa had weakened to a Category 1 storm as it moved northeast through the Bahamas, where authorities completed the evacuation of nearly 1,500 residents from low-lying islands.

Haiti Flooded and Devastated

Though Melissa’s core did not directly hit Haiti, the country endured days of relentless rain and flooding that caused widespread destruction. Officials said at least 25 people died in the coastal town of Petit-Goave, where a river overflowed its banks, sweeping away homes and families. Among the dead were at least 10 children, and another 12 people remained missing.

Haiti’s disaster management agency reported that over 1,000 homes were submerged, leaving thousands displaced. With ongoing gang violence and more than 1.3 million already homeless, the storm compounded what was already one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

“The flooding made it impossible to sleep or sit,” said Fortune Vital, a displaced resident in Les Cayes. “If the hurricane comes on top of all the problems we already have, we’ll simply die.”

Jamaica’s Worst Hurricane in History

In Jamaica, the destruction was catastrophic. U.S. forecaster AccuWeather estimated that Melissa caused $22 billion in damages and economic losses — a blow that could take a decade to recover from.

Floodwaters swept through St. Elizabeth, an agricultural hub, where authorities reported at least four deaths. In Kingston, officials said 77% of the island remained without power as of Wednesday.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness visited the storm-ravaged Black River Hospital, where staff described working by flashlight to treat patients as windows shattered around them.

“It was the most terrifying experience of my life,” one hospital worker said. “It was as if missiles were blowing through the glass.”

The government opened more than 25,000 emergency shelters and urged residents to stay inside until conditions improved.

Cuba’s Eastern Coast Cut Off

Melissa hit Cuba’s southeastern coast overnight as a Category 3 storm with winds of 120 mph (193 kph), striking near Guama, about 25 miles west of Santiago de Cuba. At least 241 rural communities were left isolated, and communications were severed across much of Santiago province, affecting more than 140,000 people.

Cuban authorities evacuated over 735,000 residents before the storm’s arrival. While no deaths were immediately reported, the government said damage to crops, power infrastructure, and housing was extensive.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel urged citizens to remain alert, warning that heavy rains and landslides could still cause additional harm. “A major hurricane landfall in the dark is incredibly dangerous,” said AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, Alex DaSilva.

Scientists Warn of Climate-Driven Intensification

Meteorologists said Hurricane Melissa ranks as the third-most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Caribbean, behind Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Scientists say such storms are becoming stronger and more frequent due to warming ocean temperatures driven by greenhouse gas emissions.

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre said Melissa’s “rapid intensification” underscored the need for greater international funding through the U.N.’s Loss and Damage Fund — a mechanism designed to help developing nations recover from extreme weather disasters.

“The devastation of Melissa is a clear warning that the Caribbean is on the front lines of the climate crisis,” the center said.

Global Response and Aid

Relief efforts are now underway across the region. Several nations have pledged emergency funds, food aid, and rescue teams. In Jamaica’s Montego Bay, residents described being trapped by floodwaters before rescuers broke into homes to save them.

“All the trees that my dad planted — all of them are gone,” one survivor said.

As the Caribbean begins to assess the full extent of Melissa’s damage, the storm stands as a grim reminder of the growing human cost of climate-fueled disasters.

Reuters story

Bodies flood Rio streets after Brazil’s deadliest police raid leaves over 100 dead

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Bodies flood Rio streets after Brazil’s deadliest police raid leaves over 100 dead

RIO DE JANEIRO (BN24) — Residents of Rio de Janeiro’s Penha neighborhood lined a main street with dozens of corpses after Brazil’s deadliest police operation left at least 119 people dead, authorities confirmed Wednesday, triggering international condemnation and grief across the city.

The large-scale raid, which police said targeted the powerful Comando Vermelho drug gang, unfolded over several days and culminated in scenes of horror as families searched for loved ones among the dead. Witnesses described hearing gunfire echoing from the forested hillside where special forces ambushed fleeing suspects.

State security chief Victor Santos told reporters that the “elevated lethality of the operation was expected but not desired,” insisting the mission had been planned for over two months. Public defenders said the actual death toll may reach 132, making it Brazil’s most violent police action on record.

Officials said the raid was unrelated to upcoming global climate events in Rio, including meetings tied to the United Nations COP30 and the C40 Summit, which will host leaders such as Prince William.

Overnight, residents dragged dozens of bodies from the nearby forest, lining them across the asphalt under makeshift coverings of sheets and plastic bags. “I just want to take my son out of here and bury him,” said Taua Brito, a grieving mother who stood beside the body of her teenage son, surrounded by mourners and stunned onlookers.

By afternoon, hundreds joined a motorcycle caravan from Penha to the governor’s palace, waving Brazilian flags smeared with red palm prints — a haunting symbol of protest against state violence.

The death toll has already eclipsed the 2021 Jacarezinho raid, in which 28 people were killed, and the infamous 1992 Carandiru prison massacre in São Paulo, when police shot dead 111 inmates during a riot.

The United Nations Human Rights Office urged Brazil to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation, calling the operation part of a “disturbing pattern of extremely lethal police raids in marginalized communities.”

Relatives and human rights lawyers said many of the victims bore signs of torture and execution-style killings. “Several families reported bound limbs, knife wounds, and gunshots to the face and neck,” said attorney Guilherme Pimentel, who is assisting victims’ families at the Rio police morgue.

Rio Governor Claudio Castro defended the operation, claiming all those killed were “criminals firing guns from the forest.” He rejected allegations of abuse, calling the dead “narcoterrorists.”

“I don’t think anyone would be walking in the forest on the day of the conflict,” Castro said, insisting the only true victims were the four police officers killed.

Authorities said 113 suspects were arrested and 118 firearms seized, describing the operation as the largest in Rio’s history.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was reportedly caught off guard by the scale of the violence. Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said the federal government had not been informed beforehand and would meet with state officials to discuss possible federal intervention.

Lula returned to Brasilia late Tuesday from a trip to Malaysia and convened an emergency meeting with Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and senior cabinet members to address the crisis, his office confirmed.

As Rio de Janeiro prepares to host international leaders for climate events next week, the massacre has cast a long shadow over Brazil’s security forces — raising new fears about impunity and the escalating militarization of policing in the country’s poorest neighborhoods.

St. Petersburg street musician jailed again over viral anti-Putin performance

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St. Petersburg street musician jailed again over viral anti-Putin performance

A Russian court has again sentenced 18-year-old street musician Diana Loginova to 13 days in jail over her viral anti-Kremlin performances in St. Petersburg — marking her second arrest this month.

Loginova, the vocalist of the street band Stoptime, was detained Tuesday after performing songs critical of President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. The court accused her of organizing an unsanctioned gathering and engaging in “petty hooliganism.” According to RusNews, she received two 13-day sentences to be served concurrently.

The young artist, known by her stage name Naoko, had just completed her previous 13-day detention last week following similar charges. Her bandmates, guitarist Alexander Orlov and drummer Vladislav Leontyev, were also arrested repeatedly, with Orlov receiving 13 days and Leontyev 15 days on separate administrative counts.

Earlier Tuesday, the Leninsky District Court fined Loginova 30,000 rubles ($375) for allegedly “discrediting” the Russian military after performing “Ty Soldat” (“You’re a Soldier”), a song written by exiled musician Monetochka — whom the Kremlin has labeled a “foreign agent.”

Loginova defended herself in court, saying her music was not political but emotional, meant to share art she loved. “My activity as a street musician is aimed at sharing music I love,” she said. “I don’t pursue political goals.”

Her lawyer argued that prosecutors never specified which lyrics were deemed offensive and that the case lacked evidence of intent. The courtroom was filled with supporters and journalists who applauded as the visibly tired singer smiled after nearly two weeks in detention.

Shortly after the hearing, Loginova was taken in an unmarked vehicle to a police station, where she reportedly began feeling unwell from stress. Paramedics were called to treat her but decided she did not require hospitalization, her mother Irina Loginova told local media.

Despite her repeated arrests, Loginova’s mother said her daughter would continue performing. “It’s her life,” she said.

The musician faces an additional charge of discrediting the army for another anti-war song, which could escalate to criminal prosecution carrying a potential prison sentence of several years.

Her defiance has gained wide attention on Russian social media, with many viewing her as a symbol of artistic resistance against the Kremlin’s crackdown on dissent.

During her latest detention, Orlov proposed to Loginova inside a police van — a gesture that has since gone viral, underscoring both the repression and resilience of Russia’s new generation of anti-war artists.

themoscowtimes report

Sudan’s paramilitary killed over 600 at a hospital in Darfur, residents and aid workers say

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Sudan’s paramilitary killed over 600 at a hospital in Darfur, residents and aid workers say

EL-FASHER, Sudan (AP) — Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed more than 600 people, including patients and medical staff, during a brutal assault on a hospital in North Darfur, witnesses and aid agencies said Wednesday, describing one of the deadliest atrocities since the country’s civil war began two years ago.

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that 460 patients and their companions were massacred inside Saudi Hospital in the provincial capital of El-Fasher on Tuesday after RSF fighters overran the city. “The attack was a massacre,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who condemned the violence as a violation of international humanitarian law.

Survivors and aid workers told The Associated Press that RSF gunmen went door-to-door, shooting civilians, including women and children, and executing hospital patients in their beds. Witnesses described corpses scattered in the streets and around the hospital. “It was like a killing field,” said Tajal-Rahman, a man who fled the city. “Bodies everywhere, people bleeding, and no one to help them.”

The assault came after RSF forces seized El-Fasher, the Sudanese army’s last major stronghold in Darfur, following a 500-day siege. The capture raises fears that Sudan, already fractured by ethnic and political divisions, may splinter again more than a decade after South Sudan’s independence.

Humanitarian agencies say the massacre is part of a systematic campaign of terror. The Sudan Doctors Network, which has tracked violence since the conflict began, said RSF fighters “cold-bloodedly killed everyone they found inside the hospital,” showing no mercy to the wounded or medical staff.

Umm Amena, a mother of four who escaped after being detained by RSF fighters, said the attackers “beat and tortured” civilians before shooting those who tried to flee. “The Janjaweed showed no mercy for anyone,” she said, using the local term for the RSF.

RSF commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, sanctioned by the United States, acknowledged “abuses” by his forces and said an internal investigation had begun, though he provided no details.

Footage shared online by Darfur Governor Mini Minawi appeared to show bodies strewn across the hospital floor, pools of blood surrounding patients and medical staff. In one clip, an RSF fighter fired into a wounded man who collapsed after the shot. The Associated Press could not independently verify the video but confirmed that mass graves are visible in recent satellite images analyzed by the Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab.

The Yale report said satellite evidence “corroborates claims of mass executions” near Saudi Hospital and the city’s former Children’s Hospital, where dozens of detainees were reportedly killed. Aid groups say the true toll could be far higher, with communication blackouts and ongoing violence hindering rescue efforts.

The United Nations migration agency said more than 36,000 people have fled El-Fasher since Sunday, seeking refuge in rural areas or overcrowded camps. Doctors Without Borders reported treating scores of gunshot victims and receiving dozens of orphaned or malnourished children, including infants whose parents were killed. “Now it’s hell on Earth with lots of guns,” said UNICEF representative Sheldon Yett.

Before the massacre, the U.N. had already documented nearly 2,000 civilian deaths in North Darfur this year. International outrage over the hospital killings grew on Wednesday, with France, Germany, the U.K., and the European Union condemning the RSF’s actions. U.S. Senator Jim Risch called on Washington to designate the group a foreign terrorist organization.

Human Rights Watch researcher Mohamed Osman said the footage from El-Fasher “reveals a horrifying truth: the Rapid Support Forces feel free to carry out mass atrocities with little fear of consequences.”

As Sudan’s civil war enters its third year, aid groups warn that the world’s worst humanitarian crisis is deteriorating rapidly — and that the international community’s failure to act could embolden further atrocities.

3 US Air Force members found dead in Ohio in suspected murder-suicide

Simeon Bateren
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3 US Air Force members found dead in Ohio in suspected murder-suicide

DAYTON, Ohio (BN24)— The military community in Ohio is reeling after three U.S. Air Force members were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide. The bodies of Jacob Prichard, 34, his wife Jaymee Prichard, 33, and Lieutenant Jaime Gustitus, 25, were discovered in separate locations on Saturday morning, prompting an investigation into the tragic deaths.

The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base confirmed the deaths, with police and local authorities reporting that the incident was a murder-suicide. Authorities believe Jacob Prichard killed his wife and her colleague, Lieutenant Gustitus, before turning the weapon on himself. The investigation into the events is ongoing, but details have begun to emerge about the chilling sequence of events that led to the deaths.

According to police, the first signs of trouble came early Saturday morning when a witness in Sugarcreek Township called 911 after hearing a loud bang coming from a nearby home. The witness, who was located near the Prichard residence, reported hearing what sounded like a glass door shattering at around 2 a.m.

“I think they shattered her door,” the caller said, according to WHIOTV. The witness later saw a man, identified by authorities as Jacob Prichard, leaving the area. The witness said Jacob had threatened them at gunpoint, telling them to return inside their home. The man then left the scene, according to the police account.

At the time of the call, Jacob Prichard had already killed Lieutenant Gustitus in her apartment, police said. Gustitus, who was a member of the 711th Human Performance Wing at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson, was discovered dead at the scene. Authorities later revealed that Jacob had also killed his wife, Jaymee, although they did not specify how or where her death occurred.

Hours after the initial events, Jacob Prichard drove to his workplace, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, at around 4 a.m. He parked his car outside and, in a final act of desperation, shot himself. Security cameras at the base recorded the moment, capturing his death on video. Police later found Jaymee Prichard’s body in the trunk of the car, confirming that her husband had intentionally placed her there before taking his life.

Jacob and Jaymee Prichard, who lived in Huber Heights, just north of Dayton, were well-known in their local community. The couple had three children, who have been left devastated by the loss of their mother and father. Local authorities confirmed that the children were not witnesses to the murders and are now in the care of family members.

Lieutenant Gustitus, who was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, worked in the 711th Human Performance Wing, which is part of the Air Force Research Laboratory. The wing focuses on human performance research, including mental and physical health initiatives for military personnel. Gustitus had joined the Air Force to serve her country and was considered a promising young officer. Authorities have yet to clarify her relationship with the Prichards, though she was described by police as a colleague of the couple.

The deaths have sent shockwaves through the local community and the military personnel at Wright-Patterson, where the victims worked. The Air Force Materiel Command released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy. Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, Deputy Commander of the Air Force Materiel Command, said, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones affected. We stand with them as they navigate this unimaginable pain, and we offer our sincerest condolences to all impacted by this heartbreaking loss.”

The Air Force also confirmed that both the Air Force and local authorities are providing counseling services to help those affected by the deaths, including coworkers, family members, and friends. In addition, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken over the case, and authorities are working diligently to piece together the events leading up to the killings.

Jaymee Prichard’s family has launched a fundraiser to assist her three children, who are now without both parents. The family has set up an online donation campaign to help provide meals and support for the grieving children. The fundraiser’s description reads, “The Rock/Pritchard family is grieving the heartbreaking loss of their daughter and her three children, the loss of their mother. As they navigate this unimaginable time, we’d like to ease a small part of their burden by organizing meals for the family. If you’re able, please consider signing up to provide a meal. Your support and kindness mean more than words can express.”

While the motive behind the killings remains unclear, investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Authorities have not disclosed whether they believe the deaths were related to domestic issues, work-related tensions, or other factors.

As the investigation progresses, local authorities and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation are focusing on gathering further evidence from the scene. The Air Force and local law enforcement continue to work closely together to understand what led to the tragic deaths of these three Air Force members.

The Air Force has promised to continue offering support to all affected individuals, particularly those who worked closely with the victims at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The deaths have left a hole in the local military community, and the full scope of the tragedy is still unfolding as investigators work to uncover the facts.

Migrant murdered restaurant owner in random stabbing attack because his asylum application was rejected

Simeon Bateren
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Migrant murdered restaurant owner in random stabbing attack because his asylum application was rejected

DERBY, England (BN24)— A Somali asylum seeker with a history of arrests across four European countries has been sentenced to life imprisonment after fatally stabbing a Derby restaurant owner in a bank following the rejection of his asylum claim.

Haybe Cabdiraxmaan Nur, 47, pleaded guilty to the murder of 37-year-old Gurvinder Singh Johal, a father of three, who was stabbed in the chest at a Lloyds Bank branch on St Peter’s Street. CCTV footage shown in Derby Crown Court revealed Nur calmly entering the bank on May 6, 2025, approaching Johal while he waited in line, and stabbing him forcefully before walking out. The knife remained lodged in Johal’s chest, and he was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

Judge Shaun Smith KC described the attack as “brutal and callous,” emphasizing that Johal was “doing nothing more than withdrawing money from the bank to pay his staff.” He told the court the CCTV footage was “a real-life horror film” for all who witnessed the crime, adding that the killing was “very public” and that any decision regarding Nur’s deportation was “a matter for the Home Office.”

Prosecutors outlined Nur’s recent immigration history, noting that he had arrived in the UK by small boat on October 22, 2024. Within days, he was informed that he did not have reasonable grounds for seeking asylum as he was not a victim of human trafficking. His application was formally refused in January, and by March, he had been issued an immigration bail notice preventing him from working.

The court heard that Nur had previously come to police attention for violent and public order offenses in the UK, including an incident in December 2024 in which he shouted racial abuse and attempted to run into traffic. He also headbutted a construction worker during that episode, though no charges were brought. Prosecutors added that Nur was known to authorities in France, Luxembourg, Italy, and Germany for a variety of offenses, including a one-year suspended sentence in Italy in 2023 for robbery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and resisting a public official.

On the day of the attack, Nur’s friend described seeing him drinking vodka and beer “like he was having a party by himself.” Nur also made two calls to the charity Migrant Help, during which he expressed anger over his asylum rejection and stated he intended to harm multiple people before killing himself. Authorities were alerted, and paramedics visited his flat, but the attack occurred before Nur could be stopped.

At the bank, Johal, who lived in West Bromwich with his wife and children aged five, three, and one, was last seen on FaceTime to a friend when Nur stabbed him. The attack caused Johal to collapse to the floor, with the knife handle breaking and driving the blade further into his chest. Nur left the knife protruding from Johal’s body and returned to his flat, where he remained until police arrived nearly four hours later. During his arrest, Nur reportedly told officers, “What can you take from me? I did this intentionally,” and threatened police while referencing extremist figures.

The court also heard details of Nur’s life before arriving in the UK. He claimed his wife had been killed in Somalia in 2016, after which he spent time in Libya under duress, traveled through France and Italy, and eventually paid for his passage to the UK. He reportedly drank heavily on the day of the attack, consuming three bottles of vodka, and later said he did not remember the stabbing due to intoxication.

A statement read on behalf of Johal’s family described the profound grief left by the killing. “We stand before you broken and grieving to speak of the unbearable pain and emptiness that has consumed our lives since Gurvinder Singh Johal—our son, our Danny—was so brutally taken from us,” the statement said. It detailed the impact on his young children, who were confused and fearful, asking, “When is Daddy coming back?”

Defence counsel James Horne KC told the court that Nur was in a “state of flux and crisis” and struggling with alcohol dependency and feelings of injustice regarding the UK asylum system. A psychiatrist who assessed Nur concluded that the stabbing was a “terrible expression of his anger and hopelessness.”

Nur was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 25 years.

Nvidia becomes first $5 trillion company, driven by AI boom

Simeon Bateren
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Nvidia becomes first $5 trillion company, driven by AI boom

WASHINGTON (BN24)— Nvidia became the first company to reach a $5 trillion market value on Wednesday, a milestone fueled by strong demand for artificial intelligence technology. The chipmaker’s valuation now exceeds the GDP of every country except the United States and China, according to World Bank data.

The company’s rise has been rapid. Three months ago, Nvidia was worth $4 trillion. Slightly more than two years ago, its market value was $1 trillion. Shares opened more than 3% higher on Wednesday.

Nvidia’s growth has become a symbol of the broader AI investment boom. The surge has created billionaires among top shareholders but has also raised concerns that the market may be overvalued, drawing comparisons to the internet bubble of the late 1990s.

The milestone follows Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s annual AI conference in Washington, D.C., where he announced partnerships and deals with companies including Nokia and Uber. Huang said he expects $500 billion in AI chip orders through next year. In an interview with NBC News, Huang said AI companies are generating “real revenues” and selling profitable products.

Nvidia’s $5 trillion market capitalization is larger than the combined value of its competitors, including AMD, Intel, Broadcom, TSMC, Micron, ASML, Lam Research, Qualcomm, and Arm Holdings. The stock has risen more than 50% this year and more than 1,500% over five years. In comparison, the S&P 500 has gained 17% this year, and the Nasdaq 23%.

Shares were also boosted on Tuesday after former President Donald Trump said he would discuss Nvidia’s Blackwell chip with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in South Korea. Blackwell is Nvidia’s most powerful AI chip. Sales to China have been restricted over concerns that Beijing could gain a technological advantage. The U.S. government has sent mixed signals about AI chip exports. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in July that while the top three tiers of technology cannot be sold to China, lower-tier AI technology may be exported.

Investors and economists are watching closely as Nvidia reaches this historic valuation, balancing excitement over AI’s potential with caution over high stock prices.

Thieves disguised as construction workers steal $3.2 million in Queens jewelry and safe heist

Simeon Bateren
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Thieves disguised as construction workers steal $3.2 million in Queens jewelry and safe heist

NEW YORK (BN24)— Three men, two of them disguised as construction workers, broke into a Queens home and stole a safe and jewelry valued at more than $3 million, authorities said Tuesday.

The burglary occurred Oct. 16 at about 2:20 p.m. in the Jamaica Hills neighborhood, police said. Investigators said the suspects forcibly entered the residence through a rear door. Once inside, the men removed a safe along with high-value jewelry, collectively worth approximately $3.2 million, according to an NYPD statement.

Surveillance footage captured the suspects fleeing east on 84th Drive in a blue Hyundai Elantra. Police described one suspect as wearing a black sweatshirt, black pants, black sneakers, a neon construction vest, a white construction hat, eye protection, and carrying a black backpack.

A second man was also disguised as a construction worker, wearing a black sweatshirt, black pants, gray sneakers, a neon construction jacket, a white construction hat, eye protection, a black face covering, and carrying a black backpack. Authorities said the third suspect, who served as the getaway driver, wore a white hoodie, black pants, gray sneakers, and black gloves, and remained behind the wheel of the blue Hyundai Elantra.

Police said the burglary was a carefully planned operation. The suspects’ disguises as construction workers allowed them to move around without drawing immediate attention, officials said. No injuries were reported, and it is not clear whether the residents were home at the time of the robbery.

The NYPD is investigating the incident and urged anyone with information to contact the 113th Precinct. Authorities are reviewing surveillance video and canvassing nearby businesses and residences for additional leads.

The theft is among the largest residential jewelry heists reported in Queens in recent years, highlighting concerns about highly organized burglaries in the city.

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