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British aristocrat Constance Marten and partner Mark Gordon sentenced to 14 years for killing newborn daughter

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LONDON (BN24) — A British woman from an aristocratic family and her partner, a convicted rapist, were sentenced Monday to 14 years in prison for the death of their newborn daughter, whose body was discovered in a shopping bag on a vegetable patch after the couple fled police and lived off-grid in freezing conditions.

Constance Marten, 38, and Mark Gordon, 51, were convicted of manslaughter at London’s Old Bailey after a retrial that followed a hung jury last year. The pair were also found guilty of child cruelty, concealing the birth of a child, and perverting the course of justice.

Marten, whose family has historic ties to the British royal family, shook her head as the verdicts were read, while Gordon, deported from the United States after serving 22 years in prison for a violent rape and kidnapping, sat motionless with his eyes closed.

The case drew widespread attention across Britain. Authorities launched a seven-week search in January 2023 after a placenta was found in the couple’s burned-out car near Manchester. Despite Marten’s privileged background and access to a trust fund, she and Gordon evaded police by camping in tents, scavenging from trash bins, and moving frequently before they were arrested in Brighton.

Days later, their baby, Victoria, was discovered dead. Marten told investigators that the infant suffocated accidentally while she held her under her jacket to keep her warm in the tent. Prosecutors argued the couple’s decision to remain outdoors in subzero conditions was reckless and directly caused the child’s death.

“Today, the justice we have long fought for has finally been served for baby Victoria,” said Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford of the Metropolitan Police. “The selfish actions of Mark Gordon and Constance Marten resulted in the death of a newborn baby who should have had the rest of her life ahead of her.”

The tragedy underscored years of instability. Marten had been estranged from her wealthy family since beginning a relationship with Gordon in 2016. The couple’s four other children had already been taken into care by authorities, prompting them to go on the run with Victoria shortly after her birth.

Crown prosecutor Samantha Yelland said the couple’s “reckless actions were driven by a selfish desire to keep their baby no matter the cost — resulting in her tragic death.”

The trial also revealed Gordon’s violent past. In 1989, at age 14, he raped a woman at knifepoint in Florida, holding her captive for more than four hours. He later committed another assault involving aggravated battery and was sentenced to 40 years in prison before being released after 22 years. He was deported to the UK following his release.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, who led the investigation, acknowledged the case’s emotional toll. “We know today’s verdict won’t bring Victoria back, but I am pleased our investigation has resulted in the couple who caused her death finally being brought to justice,” she said.

Chief Crown Prosecutor Jaswant Narwal said the 14-year sentence reflected the preventable nature of the baby’s death. “No child should have had its life cut short in this preventable way,” he said. “I hope today’s sentences provide a sense of justice and comfort to all those affected.”

The sentencing closes a harrowing case that highlighted how privilege, violence, and desperation collided in a story that gripped Britain and ended in the avoidable death of a newborn.

Israel launches expanded Gaza City offensive, at least 34 Palestinians killed amid escalating strikes

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Tel Aviv (BN24) – The Israeli military said Tuesday it has launched an expanded ground operation in Gaza City, intensifying the conflict in the densely populated territory and warning civilians to evacuate south as airstrikes and shelling shook the region. The campaign has already left at least 34 Palestinians dead, according to hospital officials.

The operation, described by Israeli defense leaders as a decisive push against Hamas, marks a new stage in the nearly yearlong war. Defense Minister Israel Katz declared “Gaza is burning” as Israeli forces advanced from the city’s outskirts toward its center, demolishing towers and targeting what they said were Hamas tunnels and positions.

Residents described a night and morning of relentless bombardment. Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility, reported receiving the bodies of 34 people killed in the strikes, alongside dozens of wounded. Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiyah, the hospital’s director, told The Associated Press that “the bombing did not stop for a single moment.”

The military estimated that 350,000 people have fled Gaza City in recent weeks, though the United Nations said at least 220,000 Palestinians had evacuated from northern Gaza in the past month. Before the latest operation, about 1 million people lived in the Gaza City region. Long convoys of cars, trucks, and families on foot crowded Gaza’s coastal road on Tuesday, carrying mattresses, suitcases, and what little people could salvage.

Israeli officials believe between 2,000 and 3,000 Hamas militants remain in Gaza City, with the group continuing to use tunnels and urban cover to resist advances. The military’s stated goal is to control nearly all of the Gaza Strip except for a stretch along the Mediterranean coast.

The offensive has reignited international tensions. A U.N.-commissioned panel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, claims rejected by Jerusalem as “distorted and false.” Egypt, a longtime mediator and the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel, escalated its rhetoric, with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi referring to Israel as an “enemy” for the first time since diplomatic ties were established in 1979.

Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages demonstrated outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, pleading for a halt to the military campaign until their loved ones are released. “If he stops at nothing and sends our precious, brave, heroic soldiers to fight while our hostages are being used as human shields — he is not a worthy prime minister,” said Einav Zangauker, whose son remains captive in Gaza.

The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. Israel’s retaliation has since killed more than 64,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which says women and children account for about half of the dead.

Despite U.S. diplomatic efforts, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Israel and Qatar this week, the prospect of a ceasefire appears remote. “The only thing worse than a war is a protracted one that goes on forever and ever,” Rubio said, warning time was running out for negotiations.

Appeals Court blocks Trump effort to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook before rate vote

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — A federal appeals court on Monday rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to oust Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, allowing her to remain on the central bank’s board just days before a pivotal vote on interest rates.

The decision delivers a setback to Trump’s unprecedented effort to remove a sitting Fed governor — a move that, if successful, would have marked the first dismissal in the central bank’s 112-year history.

The Trump administration is expected to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in a last-minute attempt to block Cook’s participation in this week’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, where policymakers are weighing whether to adjust interest rates.

Cook has separately filed a lawsuit seeking to permanently block her firing, which could extend the legal battle for months.

The White House push to remove Cook has raised alarms among economists and lawmakers, who warn the effort threatens the political independence of the Federal Reserve. Central banks are traditionally shielded from day-to-day politics to ensure they can make unpopular but necessary decisions, such as raising rates to combat inflation.

Trump first moved to fire Cook on Aug. 25, but a federal judge ruled the action unlawful and reinstated her to the Fed board. The appeals court’s ruling on Monday upheld that decision.

At the same time, the Senate has confirmed Trump’s nominee Stephen Miran to an open Fed seat, giving the administration new influence over the seven-member board despite the setback on Cook.

Cook, who was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022, has faced allegations raised by Trump appointee Bill Pulte, who accused her of mortgage fraud for allegedly claiming two properties as “primary residences” in 2021 before joining the Fed. Such claims can reduce mortgage costs by lowering rates and down payments.

Cook has denied wrongdoing, and the allegations have not resulted in formal charges.

The appeals court’s decision comes as the Fed prepares to begin its two-day policy meeting Tuesday, with investors closely watching whether officials will raise rates again to counter inflation. Cook’s continued presence on the board means she will take part in the vote, keeping Trump from reshaping the Fed as dramatically as he had sought.

Elon Musk buys $1 billion worth of Tesla shares; stock surges

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NEW YORK (BN24) — Tesla CEO Elon Musk has purchased nearly $1 billion worth of the electric carmaker’s shares, a regulatory filing revealed, bolstering his control over the company at a time when Tesla is pushing into new frontiers in artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous driving.

The filing, made public late Friday, showed Musk acquired 2.57 million Tesla shares through open-market transactions at prices ranging between $372.37 and $396.54 per share. The purchases marked one of Musk’s largest personal investments in Tesla stock in recent years.

Tesla shares jumped more than 7% on Friday and climbed over 8% in premarket trading Monday, setting the stock on course for a third consecutive session of gains. The company’s shares remain down about 2% so far this year, but the surge suggested renewed investor confidence following Musk’s move.

Musk, who already holds about a 13% stake in Tesla, has repeatedly pressed for greater voting power — ideally 25% control — warning he may pursue major projects in AI and robotics outside the company if his influence is not expanded.

The billionaire entrepreneur has positioned Tesla not just as an electric vehicle manufacturer but as a broader technology company, racing to develop robotaxis, humanoid robots, and next-generation AI systems.

Earlier this month, Tesla’s board proposed a trillion-dollar compensation plan for Musk, signaling strong internal backing despite mounting competition in the EV market and slowing demand.

Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm defended Musk on Friday, dismissing investor concerns that his political activity — including public disputes with President Donald Trump — had harmed sales. She insisted Musk was “front and center” at Tesla again after spending months at the White House, where his policy involvement drew criticism and distracted from company operations.

Musk’s clashes with Trump and his polarizing political commentary had weighed on Tesla’s stock earlier this year, sparking concerns about potential damage to the brand. However, the billionaire’s billion-dollar buy-in has been widely seen as a signal of long-term confidence in Tesla’s future trajectory.

3 French women face trial in Paris over ties to Islamic State

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PARIS (BN24) — Three French women accused of traveling to Syria to join the Islamic State group and taking eight children with them went on trial in Paris on Monday, including the niece of two jihadist propagandists who claimed responsibility for the deadly 2015 Paris attacks.

Among the defendants is Jennyfer Clain, 34, the niece of Jean-Michel and Fabien Clain. The brothers, who were among the most infamous voices of the Islamic State, claimed the group’s responsibility for the November 13, 2015 attacks that killed 130 people at the Bataclan concert hall and other sites across Paris. Both men are presumed dead, though in 2022 they were sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment without parole.

Clain stands trial alongside her sister-in-law Mayalen Duhart, 42, and her mother-in-law Christine Allain, 67. Each faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of criminal association with a terrorist enterprise.

The women traveled to Raqqa, the Islamic State’s de facto capital, in 2014, bringing their young children with them. After the 2017 battle for Raqqa marked the collapse of the group’s caliphate, they remained with retreating fighters for two more years.

In 2019, Turkish authorities detained the women as they attempted to cross into Turkey from Syria with nine children between the ages of 3 and 13, eight of whom had been born in France. They were later expelled to France, where they were charged with terrorism-related offenses.

Clain and Duhart face additional charges of failing in their parental obligations by “voluntarily taking their children to a war zone to join a terrorist group,” exposing them to what prosecutors described as “significant risk of physical and psychological harm.”

Investigating judges who referred the case to trial noted that the women had remained for years embedded in jihadist networks, arguing that their decision to travel to Syria had been made “with full knowledge of the facts” after the declaration of the Islamic State’s caliphate.

The trial is being heard by a special criminal court without a jury, a standard procedure in French terrorism cases.

Duhart is the only defendant to appear in court as a free woman, saying she now works at a bakery. Allain’s lawyer told the court that his client has worked to turn her life around, emphasizing her rejection of extremist ideology.

“She still considers herself a Muslim, but she has only known one interpretation of Islam, the wrong one,” her lawyer said. “She hates the person she had become.”

The trial is scheduled to continue through September 26.

Martial arts star Conor McGregor withdraws from Ireland’s presidential race ahead of key nominations

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DUBLIN (BN24) — Former mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor announced Monday that he is dropping out of Ireland’s presidential race, ending months of speculation about his political ambitions just as he was due to seek crucial council nominations.

The 37-year-old fighter, who once vowed to become president of Ireland, said in a statement on social media that his decision came “following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family.” His withdrawal was announced hours before he was scheduled to address Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council, where he had hoped to secure the endorsements necessary to appear on the October ballot.

McGregor Cites Barriers to Candidacy

McGregor, who has not competed professionally since July 2021, acknowledged the decision was not easy but described it as the right one. He expressed gratitude for the “support and encouragement” he received from the public but criticized Ireland’s eligibility rules, calling them a “straitjacket” that prevents “a true democratic presidential election being contested.”

Under Irish law, presidential hopefuls must be Irish citizens at least 35 years old and must secure endorsements from at least 20 members of parliament or four of the country’s 31 local authorities. So far, three candidates have secured the necessary backing: Independent Catherine Connolly, Fianna Fáil nominee Jim Gavin, and Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys.

Sinn Féin, Ireland’s main opposition party, has yet to declare whether it will field a candidate, with an announcement expected on September 20. Candidates have until September 24 to qualify for the ballot ahead of the October 24 vote.

Seriousness of Campaign Questioned

Despite McGregor’s vast following on social media, where he frequently promoted his presidential bid and urged supporters to lobby councillors on his behalf, many political observers doubted his seriousness. He declined opportunities to speak at early council hearings where potential candidates presented their cases, raising further questions about whether he intended to fully commit to the race.

McGregor’s name was listed among prospective candidates due to appear before Dublin and Kildare councils on Monday, but his withdrawal preempted any direct questioning from councillors.

The former UFC champion’s candidacy faced widespread skepticism from Ireland’s political class, with many lawmakers declaring him unfit for office. Earlier this year, McGregor lost a civil jury appeal related to a sexual assault case dating back to 2018. A Dublin woman, Nikita Hand, accused him of raping her in a hotel, a claim he denied. In November 2024, she won her civil case and McGregor was ordered to pay £206,000 in damages plus costs.

The legal controversy, coupled with his absence from formal campaign forums, left analysts doubting whether he could have secured the nominations required to advance in the race.

Presidential Field Takes Shape

With McGregor’s exit, the presidential contest is now focused on the three confirmed candidates:

  • Catherine Connolly, an independent backed by Labour, the Social Democrats, and People Before Profit.
  • Jim Gavin, nominated by Fianna Fáil, Ireland’s largest parliamentary party led by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
  • Heather Humphreys, representing Fine Gael, a center-right party governing in coalition with Fianna Fáil.

The election will determine the successor to President Michael D. Higgins, who has served since 2011 and is constitutionally barred from seeking another term.

Malawi heads to polls as former President Peter Mutharika seeks dramatic comeback at 84

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LILONGWE, Malawi (BN24) — Malawians will cast their votes Tuesday in a high-stakes presidential election that pits incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera against his predecessor, Peter Mutharika, who is attempting a dramatic political comeback at the age of 84.

Mutharika, who served as president from 2014 until his defeat in 2020, has framed his return as a mission to “rescue the nation” from economic decline and what he calls mismanagement under Chakwera’s leadership. Despite previously signaling he was done with politics, he has re-emerged as the central challenger in what is shaping up to be one of Malawi’s most fiercely contested races.

Supporters of the former president, especially in rural areas and informal trading communities, say they are nostalgic for his policies, particularly those that subsidized farming inputs and kept staple food prices lower.

“At the time Peter Mutharika was in power, he reduced the price of fertilizers so everyone had the opportunity to farm,” said Eliza Justin, a market trader in Lilongwe. “People were able to sell and buy food. This empowered people to have what they wanted. But this is not the case now, because people are scrambling to buy maize.”

With Malawi facing rising inflation, food insecurity, and high youth unemployment, Mutharika’s campaign has tapped into deep frustration with Chakwera’s economic stewardship.

Mutharika lost the presidency to Chakwera in 2020 in a court-ordered re-run election. The original 2019 results were annulled by Malawi’s Constitutional Court, which found evidence of widespread irregularities, including ballot tampering and the use of Tipp-Ex correction fluid on tally sheets. The ruling was hailed as a democratic milestone — the first time a court in Malawi overturned a presidential election result.

Chakwera, who won that re-run by a landslide, has defended his record and urged voters to stick with his administration, pointing to governance reforms and anti-corruption drives.

Tuesday’s election is widely seen as a referendum on whether Malawians are willing to give Mutharika a second chance or continue with Chakwera’s leadership despite mounting economic woes.

Observers say turnout could be critical, with younger voters playing a decisive role. Election monitors from regional and international organizations are expected to be present across the country to ensure credibility.

The outcome will determine not only Malawi’s political future but also its stability in the face of economic hardship and growing public frustration.

Britain bars Israeli officers from London Defence College over Gaza war escalation

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LONDON (BN24) — Britain has banned Israeli officers from attending one of its most prestigious military education institutions in response to Israel’s intensifying operations in Gaza, the Ministry of Defence confirmed Monday, drawing sharp condemnation from Jerusalem.

The decision means that, starting next year, Israeli students will no longer be admitted to the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, which trains senior military and civilian officials from around the world in postgraduate-level international strategic studies.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the move was directly tied to Israel’s announcement in August that it planned to escalate its offensive by seizing control of Gaza City — where roughly one million Palestinians have sought refuge — in an effort to eliminate Hamas.

“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,” the spokesperson said. “We have therefore taken the decision to pause future Israeli participation in UK-run courses.”

Pressure on Israel

Britain has long been regarded as a close ally of Israel, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has sought to apply growing pressure over the conflict. In July, London threatened to recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel adopted measures to ease humanitarian suffering inside Gaza.

Earlier this month, Britain barred Israeli officials from attending its largest arms fair but allowed Israeli defense companies to continue showcasing equipment.

Israel Condemns Ban

Israel’s Ministry of Defence swiftly denounced the college exclusion as discriminatory. Amir Baram, the ministry’s director general, sent a letter to both the Royal College of Defence Studies and the UK Defence Ministry, accusing London of betraying an ally.

“Israel’s exclusion is a profoundly dishonourable act of disloyalty to an ally at war,” Baram wrote, calling the decision a break with Britain’s “tradition of tolerance and decency.”

Humanitarian Law and Military Education

The Ministry of Defence defended its stance, noting that British military courses stress adherence to international humanitarian law. Fewer than five Israeli Defence Forces personnel are currently enrolled in non-combat academic programs across the UK, officials said.

The decision underscores growing tension between London and Jerusalem at a time when Israel’s military campaign has widened and Palestinian casualties continue to mount. Whether the ban leads to broader restrictions on Israel’s participation in UK defense programs remains unclear.

U.S. reaches framework deal on TikTok ownership, but details remain unclear

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MADRID (BN24) — The United States and China have reached a framework agreement over the future ownership of TikTok, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Sunday, though key details remain unresolved.

Bessent made the remarks after weekend trade talks in Madrid between delegations from the world’s two largest economies. He said President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping are scheduled to speak Friday to discuss final terms and potentially secure a binding deal.

“The objective of this framework is to shift TikTok to U.S. ownership,” Bessent said at a press conference. “We are not going to talk about the commercial terms of the deal. It’s between two private parties. But the commercial terms have been agreed upon.”

Chinese officials were not present at the briefing and have not confirmed Bessent’s statement.

The framework agreement comes during the fourth round of trade talks since Trump escalated tariffs on Chinese imports in April. Both sides have hinted at a possible summit between Trump and Xi, though analysts warn that ongoing trade disputes could delay any official announcement.

The future of TikTok has been a recurring flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. During President Joe Biden’s administration, Congress and the White House enacted legislation banning the app unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divested its controlling stake.

Trump, who returned to office in 2025, has extended the shutdown deadline several times, despite legal restrictions that allow only a single 90-day reprieve. The current extension expires Sept. 17 — just two days before Trump and Xi are set to discuss the framework agreement. Trump has suggested he can continue delaying the ban indefinitely.

Founded by Beijing-based ByteDance in 2012, TikTok grew from its domestic app Douyin and the acquisition of Musical.ly into a global phenomenon. By 2018, it had become the first Chinese-owned platform to achieve widespread popularity in the United States and Europe, launching the careers of artists such as Lil Nas X.

The app surged further during the COVID-19 pandemic, when viral dance videos made it a cultural staple. Rival platforms like Instagram and YouTube responded by creating their own short-form video features, Reels and Shorts, respectively.

But TikTok’s rapid rise has been shadowed by U.S. security concerns. Lawmakers warn that Chinese law could compel ByteDance to share user data with Beijing. The app’s proprietary recommendation algorithm — central to its success — has also been cited as a potential national security risk.

While Bessent emphasized that “commercial terms have been agreed upon,” the framework lacks clarity on how ownership will be transferred, which U.S. companies may be involved, and whether China will approve the deal.

For now, TikTok’s future hinges on Friday’s expected call between Trump and Xi, a conversation that could determine whether the app continues operating in the United States under new ownership or faces renewed threats of a nationwide ban.

DNA evidence ties suspect to Charlie Kirk murder, FBI director confirms

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PROVO, Utah (BN24) — Federal investigators say DNA evidence has directly linked a Utah man to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, a killing that authorities allege was driven by political motives.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Monday that Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, was connected to items recovered at the scene, including a towel wrapped around a firearm and a screwdriver found on a rooftop. Patel said forensic sequencing confirmed Robinson’s DNA on both objects.

“I can report today that the DNA hits from the towel that was wrapped around the firearm and the DNA on the screwdriver are positively processed for the suspect in custody,” Patel said during an appearance on Fox & Friends.

Charges and Motive

Robinson was arrested last week and faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice. He is being held at the Utah County Jail and is expected to be formally charged Tuesday.

According to Patel, Robinson’s attack was premeditated and motivated by “left-wing ideology.” Patel said investigators obtained text messages in which Robinson allegedly told another person that he had “an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk” and intended to act because of his political hatred toward Kirk.

Family members told investigators Robinson had increasingly embraced left-leaning political views over the past several years.

Evidence and Investigation

Authorities said the firearm itself, identified as a Mauser bolt-action rifle, remains under analysis at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives laboratory in Maryland. The rifle was discovered near spent bullet casings that contained engravings, including the phrase: “Hey fascist! Catch!”

Patel said he personally walked the crime scene with agents, underscoring the bureau’s commitment to the case. He also defended his handling of the investigation amid criticism that the FBI “grandstanded” after initially detaining another person who was later released without charges.

“The job of the FBI is not just to manhunt the actual suspect, but also to eliminate subjects who are not involved,” Patel said. “Could I have worded it better in the heat of the moment? Sure. But do I regret putting it out? Absolutely not.”

Relations With Local Law Enforcement

Patel downplayed reports of tensions with local authorities, calling state and municipal police “fantastic partners.” However, he admitted frustration over delays in photo sharing, saying he accelerated the release process.

“The photos were produced, they just weren’t produced in a timely fashion that I felt was appropriate for an investigation of this magnitude,” Patel said.

Community Shock

Neighbors and family members described Robinson as a “considerate” young man from suburban Utah who had recently become more politically engaged. His arrest shocked acquaintances who said he had been known as “squeaky clean” before the shooting.

Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, was gunned down on campus last Wednesday. His death has sparked widespread mourning in conservative circles and intensified political debate over threats faced by public figures.

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