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2 Accused Smugglers Face Trial in Deaths of Indian Family at US-Canada Border

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Two alleged human smugglers go on trial Monday for their role in a tragic border crossing attempt that left an Indian family of four dead in a bitter January 2022 blizzard, highlighting the growing crisis of illegal immigration along the U.S.-Canadian border.

Harshkumar Patel, 29, nicknamed “Dirty Harry,” and Steve Shand, 50, face four counts related to human smuggling in federal court. Prosecutors allege they were part of a sophisticated operation moving Indian nationals into the United States when temperatures plunged to minus 36 Fahrenheit on the fatal night.

The victims — Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishaliben, their 11-year-old daughter Vihangi, and 3-year-old son Dharmik — were found frozen to death in Manitoba, just inside the Canadian border. Jagdish was discovered with his young son wrapped in a blanket in his arms.

“Make sure everyone is dressed for the blizzard conditions, please,” Shand messaged his boss before the attempt, according to court documents. Earlier messages revealed his concerns about the extreme cold: “16 degrees cold as hell… They going to be alive when they get here?”

The Patel family, originally from Dingucha village in India’s Gujarat state, represented a growing wave of Indian migrants attempting illegal border crossings. U.S. Border Patrol arrested more than 14,000 Indians along the Canadian border in the year ending September 30 — 60% of all arrests on that frontier and ten times the number from two years ago.

Prosecutors say the defendants were part of a network that arranged Canadian student visas and transportation for migrants, charging up to $90,000 per person. Patel allegedly coordinated operations from Canada while Shand, recruited at a Florida casino, drove migrants on the U.S. side for about $25,000 per trip.

“He came to America to escape poverty and build a better life and now stands unjustly accused of participating in this horrible crime,” said Thomas Leinenweber, Patel’s attorney. Shand’s attorneys did not respond to requests for comment.

The deaths underscore the risks migrants take seeking entry to the United States. The Patels, both schoolteachers, lived comfortably in Gujarat but were drawn by stories of prosperity from neighbors who had successfully emigrated.

“There was no urgent need, no desperation,” said Vaibhav Jha, a local reporter who investigated the case. “But there was so much pressure in the village, where people grew up aspiring to the good life.”

The trial begins as illegal immigration from India continues to surge, with the Pew Research Center estimating more than 725,000 Indians living illegally in the United States, behind only Mexicans and Salvadorans.

Super Typhoon Man-Yi Kills Eight in Philippines, Prompts US Aid

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Super typhoon Man-Yi swept through the Philippine archipelago over the weekend, killing at least eight people and triggering landslides and storm surges in the nation’s sixth major storm in a month, authorities reported Monday.

A family of seven, including an eight-year-old girl, died when a landslide buried their home in Nueva Vizcaya province, while a 72-year-old man was killed in Daet town, Camarines Norte province, when strong winds downed cables that caused a fatal vehicular accident.

“One casualty is one casualty too many. So, that is unfortunate,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told reporters. “We will now carry on with the rescue of those isolated areas and the continuing relief for those who have been displaced.”

Man-Yi made landfall in eastern Catanduanes province Saturday before weakening as it crossed the main island of Luzon. The storm, now approaching Vietnam with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 135 kph, has left extensive damage in its wake.

In Nueva Ecija, a major rice-producing province in northern Luzon, flooding has overwhelmed farmlands and villages. “The floodwater from the typhoon and the surrounding provinces gushed here because the elevation of the land here is lower,” farmer Danilo Dagdagan told Reuters from his flooded home. “It makes our lives difficult, it’s hard for us especially for those without sufficient food.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced direct military support for relief operations and an additional million dollars in urgent humanitarian aid. The assistance comes as the Philippines grapples with its most active storm season in recent memory, following October’s devastating Tropical Storm Trami and Typhoon Kong-rey, which killed 162 people with 22 still missing.

The Philippines typically endures about 20 tropical storms annually, but the rapid succession of recent storms has strained emergency response capabilities and highlighted the nation’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Ramaphosa Urges Safe Recovery of Miners Trapped in Abandoned South African Mine

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President Cyril Ramaphosa called Monday for the safe recovery of hundreds of illegal miners trapped in an abandoned gold mine, urging police to respect their rights despite a controversial blockade of food and water supplies meant to force their surrender.

“The police will carry out their duties and responsibilities to bring the illegal miners to the surface safely,” Ramaphosa said, emphasizing that lives should not be put at risk during the ongoing standoff in North West province. The president promised his government would work with the mining industry to address the broader issue of illegal mining.

The crisis highlights South Africa’s decades-long struggle with unauthorized mining, which costs the economy billions of rands in lost income and royalties through both small-scale theft and organized criminal networks.

Twelve miners have emerged since Wednesday with the help of volunteers, according to public broadcaster SABC, though it remains unclear whether those still underground are unable or unwilling to exit. Police maintain their blockade of the shaft, aiming to arrest the miners for illegally entering the abandoned mine in search of remaining gold deposits.

Bangladesh Faces Worst Dengue Outbreak as Death Toll Passes 400

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Bangladesh’s worst dengue outbreak in recent history has claimed more than 400 lives in 2024, with hospitals struggling to manage over 78,000 patients as climate change and urbanization fuel an unprecedented surge in infections.

Official figures show 407 dengue-related deaths this year, with 4,173 patients currently under treatment — 1,835 in the capital Dhaka and 2,338 elsewhere. The outbreak has stretched beyond the typical June-to-September monsoon season, catching health officials off guard.

“We’re witnessing monsoon-like rainfall even in October, which is unusual,” said Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University. “These changes in the season are fostering ideal conditions for the mosquitoes to breed.”

Climate change has created perfect conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary disease vector, through rising temperatures and extended monsoon seasons. Dense urban populations, particularly in Dhaka, have amplified transmission rates.

“Early diagnosis and prevention are key to controlling dengue,” said Dr. ABM Abdullah, a prominent physician, noting that proper early treatment can reduce mortality rates to less than 1%. However, doctors report that delayed treatment, especially among rural residents who must travel far for specialized care, has contributed to the rising death toll.

The crisis has prompted calls for year-round vector surveillance in Bangladesh, as the disease often presents mild initial symptoms that can go undiagnosed until patients reach critical condition. The outbreak’s unprecedented scale highlights the growing intersection of climate change and public health challenges in South Asia.

Hong Kong to Sentence 45 Pro-Democracy Activists in Landmark Security Law Case

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Forty-five prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activists face sentencing Tuesday in the largest case under Beijing’s national security law, potentially marking the final chapter in China’s systematic dismantling of the city’s democratic opposition.

The activists, convicted of conspiracy to commit subversion, face up to life imprisonment for their roles in organizing a 2020 unofficial primary election that drew over 610,000 voters. Prosecutors argued the primary was part of a plot to force the resignation of Hong Kong’s leader through indiscriminate budget vetoing after gaining a legislative majority.

Among those awaiting sentencing is Benny Tai, a former law professor who helped organize the primary. Once respected enough to serve on the committee drafting Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, Tai now stands convicted of attempting to “undermine, destroy or overthrow the existing political system,” according to the court’s ruling.

Joshua Wong, who gained international recognition during the 2014 Occupy Movement and 2019 protests, faces sentencing after pleading guilty. His lawyer indicated hopes for rehabilitation, saying Wong wishes to “part with his history and would be able to reform himself.”

Former Democratic Party chair Wu Chi-wai, once honored by the government for community service, also awaits sentencing after entering a guilty plea. During his detention, Wu was permitted only brief attendance at his parents’ funerals.

The case has drawn particular attention to Gordon Ng, an Australian-Hong Kong dual citizen who maintains his innocence. Though judges acknowledged he neither organized the primary nor ran as a candidate, they convicted him based on his social media campaign supporting primary winners.

Thirty-one activists entered guilty pleas while fourteen others were found guilty at trial in May. Two were acquitted. Those who pleaded guilty may receive lighter sentences, while others have remained defiant despite their convictions.

The mass sentencing represents a watershed moment in Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, effectively silencing most prominent opposition voices through what critics describe as weaponized legal proceedings. The national security law, imposed in 2020, has fundamentally altered the political landscape of the former British colony that was promised significant autonomy until 2047.

Government-approved judges ruled the primary election plan would have created a constitutional crisis, though defenders argue it represented legitimate political opposition within Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law.

Spirit Airlines Files for Bankruptcy Protection Amid Mounting Losses

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Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday as the largest U.S. budget carrier grapples with more than $2.5 billion in losses since 2020 and looming debt payments exceeding $1 billion, marking a dramatic fall for an airline that once dominated the low-cost travel market.

The airline, whose stock has plummeted 97% since late 2018, emphasized that customers can continue booking and flying without interruption during the prearranged bankruptcy process. The announcement follows a 25% stock drop Friday after reports of potential bankruptcy negotiations with bondholders.

“The chatter in the market about Spirit is notable, but we are not distracted,” CEO Ted Christie told investors during a recent earnings call. “We are focused on refinancing our debt, improving our overall liquidity position, deploying our new reimagined product into the market, and growing our loyalty programs.”

Despite maintaining passenger numbers — up 2% in the first half of 2023 — Spirit has struggled with declining revenue as fares dropped 10% per mile and fare revenue per mile fell nearly 20%. The airline faces challenges including rising labor costs, competition from major carriers’ budget offerings, leisure travel fare decreases due to route saturation, and required Pratt & Whitney engine repairs grounding numerous Airbus jets.

The bankruptcy follows Spirit’s failed $3.8 billion merger with JetBlue, blocked by federal judges in January over concerns about reduced competition. The airline plans an unusual 20% schedule reduction for the fourth quarter, which analysts say could benefit competitors like Frontier, JetBlue, and Southwest on overlapping routes.

Spirit’s troubles reflect a dramatic shift in the airline industry’s post-pandemic recovery, where premium travel has surged while the budget sector stagnates. The airline recently abandoned its traditional ultra-low-fare model, introducing bundled fares including amenities like bigger seats and free bags.

This filing marks the first major U.S. airline bankruptcy since American Airlines emerged from Chapter 11 protection in December 2013 through its merger with US Airways.

AP

China Reveals New ‘White Emperor’ Space Fighter, Debuts F-35-Like Jet

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China has unveiled two advanced military aircraft, including a mysterious supersonic “White Emperor” fighter capable of operating in near-space altitudes and a new J-35 jet bearing striking similarities to the American F-35, marking significant developments in Beijing’s aerospace capabilities.

The “Baidi” (White Emperor) aircraft, revealed as part of China’s Project Nantianmen research initiative, is designed to operate at altitudes up to 25,000 meters and represents China’s entry into sixth-generation fighter development. The integrated space-air fighter showcases Beijing’s ambitions to compete with the U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

Separately, at an air show in the southern city of Zhuhai, China displayed its J-35 fighter jet, prompting discussions about possible design similarities with the American F-35. The Chinese jet, manufactured by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, demonstrated advanced maneuverability with vertical and inverted flight capabilities.

Military analysts note the J-35’s development follows a history of alleged Chinese intelligence operations targeting American military technology. In 2016, Chinese national Su Bin pleaded guilty to participating in what the U.S. Department of Justice called a “years-long conspiracy” to steal military data, including F-35 designs. Documents released by Edward Snowden previously revealed Chinese hackers had accessed America’s $2 trillion F-35 program in 2007.

“For the first time, new equipment such as the medium-weight, stealth multi-role fighter J-35A, the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile and a new type of reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle will be on display,” Chinese officials told state television.

The revelations come amid escalating military tensions between China and the United States, particularly regarding the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. The People’s Liberation Army has accelerated military modernization under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, with the J-35A expected to be exported to allies like Pakistan.

The land-based J-35A variant offers extended range compared to its carrier-based counterpart, representing over a decade of development. Experts suggest potential design appropriation may be most evident in the aircraft’s internal systems rather than its external appearance.

These military developments signal China’s growing aerospace capabilities and determination to challenge U.S. military supremacy in the Indo-Pacific region, as both nations compete for technological advantage in next-generation military aircraft.

Vladimir Shklyarov, Russian Ballet Star, Dies at 39 in Tragic Fall

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Vladimir Shklyarov, principal dancer of the Mariinsky Theater and one of Russia’s most celebrated ballet stars, died Saturday after falling from the fifth floor of a building while awaiting spinal surgery. He was 39.

The Mariinsky Theater confirmed the death of the acclaimed dancer, with company representative Anna Kasatkina telling local news outlet Fontanka that Shklyarov was on painkillers in preparation for a complex spinal procedure scheduled for Monday. Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that while an investigation has been launched, preliminary findings list the cause as accidental.

“This is a huge loss not only for the theater’s staff, but for all of today’s ballet art,” the Mariinsky Theater said in a statement. “His boundless creative abilities were recognized with numerous awards. He forever inscribed his name in the history of world ballet art.”

Born in Saint Petersburg in 1985, Shklyarov joined the Mariinsky Theater ballet troupe in 2003 after graduating from the Academy of Russian Ballet, rising to principal dancer in 2011. His repertoire included leading roles in classical productions such as “Swan Lake,” “The Nutcracker,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Giselle.”

His talent reached far beyond Russia’s borders, with guest performances at prestigious venues including American Ballet Theater, New York’s Metropolitan Opera, London’s Royal Opera House, and Washington’s Kennedy Center. American Ballet Theater remembered him on social media as leaving “an indelible mark on our stage and in our hearts.”

The dancer is survived by his wife, ballerina Maria Shylyarov, and their two young children. His death marks the loss of one of ballet’s most dynamic performers of his generation, cutting short a career that had already achieved international acclaim.

Russian Opposition Leaders Unite in Berlin March Against Putin, Ukraine War

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More than 1,000 protesters marched through central Berlin Sunday in a rare show of unity among Russian opposition leaders, as Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexei Navalny, joined recently freed dissidents Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Kara-Murza in demanding President Vladimir Putin’s removal and an end to the Ukraine war.

Demonstrators gathered behind a banner reading “No Putin. No War,” chanting “Russia without Putin” and other slogans in Russian while carrying signs declaring “Putin = War” and “Putin is a murderer” in German. The protest route wound symbolically through Berlin’s historic center, from Potsdamer Platz past the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie before concluding at the Russian Embassy.

“We’re using the freedom we have here in Berlin to show the world: A peaceful, free, and civilized Russia exists,” Yashin said in a statement before the demonstration, where protesters carried Russian and Ukrainian flags alongside the white-blue-white banner adopted by some opposition groups.

The march, which organizers said aimed to demand “the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, the trial of Vladimir Putin as a war criminal, and the release of all political prisoners in Russia,” comes at a crucial moment for Russia’s fractured opposition movement.

Despite hopes that August’s landmark prisoner exchange might reinvigorate anti-Putin forces following Navalny’s death in prison, recent months have seen increasing tensions among opposition groups. The movement has struggled to present a unified front or clear strategy, with prominent dissidents trading public accusations that have disappointed many opposition supporters.

The Berlin demonstration represents an attempt to overcome these divisions, with Navalnaya, Yashin, and Kara-Murza billing the event as a show of unity at a critical time. However, the recent acrimony among anti-war factions has left many opposition-minded Russians frustrated with what they see as counterproductive power struggles between rival groups.

The protest highlights both the potential and challenges facing Russia’s exiled opposition as they attempt to maintain pressure on Putin’s regime while operating from abroad, with many key leaders now based in Western capitals following waves of repression within Russia.

Sinner Makes History as First Italian to Win ATP Finals, Defeats Fritz in Straight Sets

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World number one Jannik Sinner made tennis history Sunday, becoming the first Italian to win the ATP Finals with a commanding 6-4, 6-4 victory over American Taylor Fritz, completing an undefeated tournament run without dropping a set.

The 23-year-old home favorite, who lost last year’s final to Novak Djokovic, dominated throughout the 85-minute match, securing the largest prize money award in tennis history at $4,881,500. His performance matched a feat not seen since Ivan Lendl in 1986, becoming the first player to win the ATP Finals without losing a set.

“It’s amazing. Just an amazing week. For me, it’s a first title in Italy, so it means so much to me. I’m very happy about that, it’s very special,” Sinner said on court after securing his 70th win of the season.

Sinner broke Fritz’s serve with a precise drop shot to take a 4-3 lead in the first set, which he claimed with his tenth ace. The Italian maintained momentum in the second set when Fritz, the first American finalist since James Blake in 2006, sent a crucial forehand long.

The victory caps a remarkable season for Sinner, who has won 26 of his last 27 matches and claimed a tour-leading eight titles. Fritz, despite the loss, will reach a career-high world ranking of fourth when the new standings are released Monday.

“I just want to say congrats to Jannik and his team. Insane year, honestly. It’s really impressive,” said Fritz, 27, acknowledging his opponent’s achievement.

In the doubles final, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz became the first German pair to win the tournament, defeating Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in two tiebreakers, 7-6(5), 7-6(6).

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