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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
The investigation into an arson incident in Indiana took an unexpected turn when officials revealed that the accused confessed to severing his own genitals before setting them on fire.
According to court papers accessed by FOX59, 36-year-old Christopher Peden initially reported to Fort Wayne police on May 6 that he was the victim of a stabbing.
However, authorities stated that Peden eventually confessed that his initial account was fabricated, as noted in the affidavit shared by the news outlet.
Rather, Peden allegedly admitted to officers that he had entered a separate garage and inflicted injuries upon himself.
Court documents indicated that Peden claimed to have used a kitchen knife to ‘cut off his penis.’
He then allegedly poured gasoline on it and ‘set it on fire on the floor of the garage just inside the door’ around 2am.
The Fort Wayne Fire Department had been called that day to investigate a fire at the garage.
Around the same time, police were responding to a stabbing, according to the reported affidavit.
Christopher Peden, 36, was charged with felony arson after he allegedly cut off his own genitals and set them on fire in his family’s detached garage
The Fort Wayne Fire Department was called to investigate a fire at the garage that Peden later allegedly admitted to starting himself after ‘cutting off’ his genitals
The property was owned by Peden’s mother, according to court documents cited by The Smoking Gun. His brother David also lived there.
David said a neighbor had woken him up and told him the detached garage, which did not have electrical power, was on fire.
At that point, they realized Peden was missing.
Officers later encountered Peden, who was injured at the time, according to court documents.
As he was being taken to a hospital, Peden allegedly claimed he had been stabbed in downtown Fort Wayne.
He also told law enforcement he had been threatened the day before, per the reported filing.
But later, Peden had a sudden U–turn, as he told investigators that he had been ‘dishonest’ and ‘wanted to be truthful’ with them.
His alleged admission appeared to tie the reported stabbing with the garage fire.
Peden’s address was listed in the 800 block of Northwood Boulevard in court records.
Court documents alleged that Peden originally told police that he had been stabbed in downtown Fort Wayne
Indiana court records viewed by the Daily Mail said that Peden lived at a home in the 800 block of Northwood Boulevard
Investigators recovered evidence from the garage after Peden’s shocking admission, per the reported affidavit.
Those items included a red plastic gas container, four BIC lighters and a kitchen knife.
However, court records did not indicate whether Peden’s genitals had been found or collected, according to WPTA.
Peden allegedly told investigators he walked away from the garage after setting the fire.
He has since been charged with arson, a Level 4 felony.
If convicted, Peden could be sentenced to prison for up to 12 years.
He entered a $10,000 surety bond on Tuesday, according to Indiana court records viewed by the Daily Mail.
A hearing is scheduled for next Monday, court records added.
The Daily Mail has reached out to David Andrew Felts, who is listed as Peden’s public defender, as well as the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Fort Wayne Fire Department for comment.
In Provo, Utah, the court is set for a pivotal moment as Lance Twiggs, the former lover of Tyler Robinson, suspected of assassinating Charlie Kirk, will have his video testimony presented on Thursday morning. This comes as the week-long preliminary hearing draws to a close.
Initially, the prosecution planned to play the video on Wednesday. However, a series of objections from the defense led Judge Tony Graf Jr. to order redactions. Consequently, prosecutors decided to postpone the showing until Thursday morning to ensure compliance with the court’s directives.
The courtroom atmosphere has been emotionally charged. Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, was visibly moved, sharing tearful embraces with her mother-in-law, Kathy Kirk. The family’s attorney, Jeff Neiman, passionately urged the court to consider showing the unredacted testimony video, asserting it should be “seen by the world.”
During these proceedings, Erika Kirk seemingly prompted her lawyer to address the bench, marking his first appearance at the podium since the hearings commenced earlier in the week.
Following Monday’s session, Erika Kirk was seen leaving the Provo courthouse. She had been attending the first day of Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing, as he faces accusations of fatally shooting her husband, Charlie Kirk. (Alec Thornock for News Media)
Playing only a redacted version would create “doubt and distrust in the judicial system,” Neiman argued.
“The Kirk family believes strongly that if the evidence is being admitted in this preliminary hearing, it should be made public for the world to see no redactions,” he told the judge. “This court has tools at its disposal to make sure the defendant receives a fair trial. You’ll use them if you find that you need to.”
Charlie Kirk assassination suspect Tyler Robinson and Lance Twiggs.(Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool and Lance Twiggs/TikTok)
Graf, however, agreed to redactions of about 16 minutes of the roughly 37-minute video statement from Twiggs, as suggested by the defense, after Robinson attorney Richard Novak raised constitutional concerns about televising a “confession” before trial.
The full video is expected to show Twiggs discussing texts, chat logs and a note that the defense said prosecutors and the public would consider a “confession” from Robinson.
Defense attorney Kathryn Nester talks to Tyler Robinson during a preliminary hearing in 4th District Court for Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, in Provo on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.(Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)
Novak said the defense does not characterize them as a confession.
Robinson appeared visibly uneasy at times during the hearing, especially during mentions of Twiggs, his lover at the time of the shooting — taking deep breaths, fidgeting and adjusting his suit jacket.
Some of the alleged texts between Robinson and Twiggs have been made public already, in which prosecutors claim the defendant mentions being “stuck in Orem,” where the shooting took place — and appears to take responsibility for being “the one who did it.”
Mention of the texts are expected to be redacted from the video played Thursday, but the judge said he will consider them when he makes his probable cause decision.
A still image from video shows Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of conservative icon Charlie Kirk, attending a preliminary hearing presided over by District Court Judge Tony Graf at the Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, July 6, 2026.(Reuters TV/Pool via REUTERS.)
Graf also said the preliminary hearing will end by 5 p.m. Friday, squelching speculation that the planned five-day hearing could run longer.
At the end of the hearing, as everyone stood, Erika and Kathy Kirk shared a tearful hug.
Struggling with a belly bulge post-55? A professional trainer shares five effective standing exercises to tone your midsection.
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For many, hitting the age of 55 brings noticeable changes, particularly around the waistline. These changes are often not about the number of crunches you’ve done, but more about hormonal shifts, loss of muscle mass, irregular sleep, and fat redistributing to the front of the belly.
With nearly four decades of experience as a personal trainer and two decades at the helm of TRAINFITNESS, I’ve seen firsthand that incorporating standing exercises four to five times weekly—coupled with a few dietary adjustments—can be far more effective in tackling that belly bulge than countless sit-ups.
These five exercises, easily done while standing, can help you manage your belly without needing to get down on the floor.
Why Belly Fat Settles After 55
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Several challenges come up time and again.
The first is hormonal. After 55, estrogen drops in women and testosterone slips in men, and the body tends to store fat around the middle rather than the hips or thighs. This isn’t a failure of willpower; it’s biology, and it doesn’t respond to the same approach that worked at 30.
The second is muscle loss. Most people over 55 have been losing muscle for years without noticing, and muscle is what burns calories at rest. Less muscle means a lower metabolic baseline, which means the same food that used to be fine now adds up. The fix is rebuilding muscle, not eating less.
The third is sleep and stress, which are both worse in this age group and both raise cortisol. High cortisol parks fat right in the belly. People who finally get their sleep sorted often lose belly fat without changing anything else about their food.
And under all of it sits the spot-reduction belief. You cannot crunch off front belly fat any more than you can crunch off bingo wings. You burn fat off the whole body and the belly comes down with the rest of it. Standing exercises that work big muscle groups are the most efficient way to make that happen.
If You Can Hold a Wall Sit This Long After 50, Your Lower-Body Power Is Stronger Than 90% of Peers
Why Standing Beats Floor Work
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Standing exercises move more muscle at the same time, and more muscle equals more calories burned per minute. A standing squat with overhead reach involves your legs, glutes, back, shoulders and trunk. A floor crunch involves a strip of muscle the size of your hand. The maths is obvious.
There’s also the practical side. Getting up and down off the floor is one of the things that puts older adults off exercising. Standing routines stay in one position, which means people actually do them. The best program on paper is worthless if it doesn’t get done.
And the standing format trains the trunk in the way it was designed to work, which is to hold the spine in place while the rest of the body moves. Floor crunches train flexion of the spine, which most over-55s have plenty of anyway because they sit all day. Standing trunk work builds the strength that protects the back.
Machines have their place but tend to isolate single muscles, work you while you’re seated, and skip the whole-body coordination that produces the biggest calorie burn. For shifting belly fat, they’re the slowest tool in the box.
Squat to Overhead Reach
This works the legs, glutes, back and shoulders at the same time, which means a lot of muscle moving and a lot of calories used per minute. The overhead reach also extends the spine and opens the chest, which most over-55s desperately need from all the sitting they do.
How to Do It:
Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms by your sides
Push the hips back and bend the knees into a squat, lowering as far as comfortable
As you stand back up, reach both arms overhead, palms facing each other
Squeeze the bottom muscles and stand tall at the top
Lower the arms as you sink into the next squat
Do 12 to 15 reps
Avoid These Mistakes:
Don’t let your heels lift off the floor
Don’t reach overhead by arching the lower back; lift through the shoulders instead
Don’t hunch forward on the way down.
5 Morning Exercises That Build Thigh Strength Faster Than Gym Machines After 60
Reverse Lunge With Arm Reach
This trains one leg at a time, which doubles the work per minute and rebuilds the balance that fades after 55. The overhead reach activates the trunk on the same side as the back leg, which is the muscle pattern that gives the waist its definition.
How to Do It:
Stand tall, feet hip-width apart
Step one foot back roughly two foot lengths and lower the back knee towards the floor
As you lunge, reach the opposite arm overhead and slightly across the body
Push back to standing through the front heel and lower the arm
Alternate legs, aiming for 8 to 10 reps per side
Avoid These Mistakes:
Don’t step back too short, which forces the front knee out over the toes
Don’t reach the arm so far across that you twist the spine sharply
Don’t let the torso fall forward.
Standing Knee to Opposite Elbow
This is the closest standing version of a bicycle crunch, without any floor work or spinal flexion. It trains the obliques, which run diagonally across the waist and are the muscles that pull the waist in when they have something to work against.
How to Do It:
Stand tall with feet hip-width apart, hands behind the head, elbows wide
Lift the right knee up and rotate the trunk to bring the left elbow towards the lifted knee
Return to standing, then repeat on the other side
Keep the lift smooth, the abdominals doing the work
Aim for 10 reps per side
Avoid These Mistakes:
Don’t pull the head down with the hands, which strains the neck
Don’t bend sideways; rotate instead
Don’t let the supporting knee lock out, which makes the balance harder.
5 Standing Exercises That Address Hunched Posture Faster Than Stretching After 60
Lateral Lunge With Side Reach
This works the hips and inner thighs in a sideways pattern that’s almost never trained in daily life, and adds a side bend that targets the obliques along the working side. After 55, the loss of side-to-side strength is one of the bits that keeps the waist looking thick.
How to Do It:
Stand tall with feet together
Step one foot wide to the side, two to three foot lengths
Bend that knee and push the hips back, keeping the other leg straight
As you lunge, reach the same-side arm down towards the lunging foot
Push back to standing through the working heel and bring the arm back up
Alternate sides, aiming for 8 to 10 reps per side
Avoid These Mistakes:
Don’t let the working knee collapse inwards
Don’t bend forwards from the lower back; push the hips back instead
Don’t reach the arm so far down that the back rounds.
Standing March With Arm Punches
This adds the cardio component most over-55s need for fat loss. Marching on the spot with strong arm punches gets the heart rate up without any jumping or impact, and the rotational pull of the punches trains the trunk muscles that protect the lower back.
How to Do It:
Stand tall with feet hip-width apart
Lift one knee to hip height while punching the opposite arm out in front
Lower, then repeat on the other side
Keep the trunk tall, the punches controlled
Aim for 60 seconds of continuous work
Avoid These Mistakes:
Don’t hunch forwards as the knee comes up
Don’t punch so hard the shoulder is yanked
Don’t go so fast you lose form.
5 Chair Exercises That Restore Shoulder Mobility Faster Than Yoga After 55
How to Fit This Into Your Week
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Run the five exercises in the order above, 45 seconds of work, 15 seconds of rest, for one round. That’s five minutes. Take a 30-second breather, then repeat the whole sequence twice more, for a total of around 18 minutes including rests. Most people find this enough.
Four to five days a week is the right target for fat loss at this age. Three is the minimum that produces change, and seven is fine if your recovery is good. If you’re sore the next day, take a day off, but try to keep at least three sessions in even in the early weeks.
Add a 30 to 45 minute walk on most days as well. Walking isn’t the engine of fat loss but it raises the daily total of energy used and keeps stress down, which both help the belly come in.
Two strength sessions a week on top, with squats, lunges, rows and presses, will accelerate everything. Muscle is what changes the metabolism over the months that follow.
Eating Changes That Help Most
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Protein at every meal. This is the single change with the biggest effect for over-55s, and most people are well below where they need to be. Aim for 25 to 30 grams of protein at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Eggs, Greek yogurt, tinned fish, chicken, beans and lentils all do the job. Protein fills you up, costs more calories to digest, and protects the muscle the standing workout is building.
Cut the ultra-processed snacks. Crisps, biscuits, the supermarket cake counter. These foods are designed to be over-eaten and add hundreds of calories in a sitting that don’t fill you up at all. Replace them with whole foods that take longer to eat. A handful of nuts, an apple, a slice of cheese.
Watch the alcohol. After 55, alcohol hits harder, hangs around longer, and parks calories right in the belly. Two or three small changes here, smaller glasses, fewer drinking days, or a switch to lower-alcohol options, often produce a more visible change in the waist than any food swap.
Don’t skip meals. The instinct after 55 is often to eat less to compensate for a slower metabolism, but skipping meals raises cortisol and ends in a hungry overshoot in the evening. Three meals a day, with protein at each, beats one big dinner.
5 Daily Exercises That Firm Tummy Roll Faster Than Gym Sessions After 55
What to Expect in 4 to 6 Weeks
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By the end of the second week, most people notice their clothes fitting a little differently around the middle. The legs and waist often respond first because they’re carrying more inflammation and water than fat, and that drops quickly when you start moving and eating better.
By 4 weeks, the actual fat starts to come down. A pound a week is realistic and sustainable. Faster than that usually means losing muscle, which makes the body shape worse in the long run.
By 6 weeks, the belly looks meaningfully different. The waist drops half an inch to an inch or more, posture improves, and the trousers that have been a bit tight for a year start to fit again. Most people also report better energy, better sleep, and a noticeable improvement in mood.
The bit to be honest about is that this is the start, not the finish. Belly fat at 55 took years to settle in, and it comes off in months rather than weeks. The change at 6 weeks is enough to know it’s working and to keep going. The bigger change shows up between months 3 and 6.
Manager Don Kelly of the Pirates made the call to end Jared Jones’ no-hitter pursuit, removing the pitcher from the 3-0 game against the Braves after he displayed flawless performance for six innings.
Following an internal brace elbow surgery, the Pirates opted for caution with Jones. Even though he dazzled by striking out eight of the initial 18 batters and didn’t permit a single base runner, the decision was made to pull him from the game.
Despite completing six innings with a total of 77 pitches, Jones was taken out of the game on Wednesday night. In an amusing moment, he humorously attempted to bypass Kelly after leaving the field, which entertained the Pirates’ manager.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (17) delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at PNC Park. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
“Yeah, I was joking around,” Jones remarked with a grin. “Our pre-game plan was around five innings, but since my pitch count stayed low, they sent me for the sixth. That was it for me tonight; I was just having some fun.”
Jones admitted that the pitch count limitations could be frustrating in situations like this, yet he conveyed his full comprehension of the reasoning behind the decision to withdraw him from the game.
Kelly called the decision to take Jones out of the game a “tough one,” however, the health of a player was at the top of his list of priorities.
“Wanting guys to stay healthy is the number one thing with these guys because we need Jared for the rest of the season throwing the ball like that,” Kelly said. “Trying to push him right now when he’s only had five ups – there’s just no way.”
After Jones exited the game, the perfect outing came to an end, and the shutout ended in the eighth when Joey Bart hit a two-run home run off Dennis Santana.
The Braves added another run in the top of the ninth.
Diminished productivity at work might serve as an early warning signal for dementia developing before the age of 65, according to researchers. This insight indicates that symptoms can manifest more than ten years prior to an official diagnosis.
Early-onset dementia occurs when this challenging condition afflicts individuals under the age of 65, leading to a swift decline in both emotional and professional aspects of life. In many instances, the root cause remains elusive.
Young patients frequently endure long waits for a diagnosis since dementia is typically not anticipated in those under 60. However, Finnish researchers now suggest that monitoring a person’s job performance might reveal the disease up to 15 years earlier.
A study involving nearly 800 patients with early-onset dementia and 7,000 healthy individuals showed those with the condition earned about $13,800 less annually, even 15 years before their dementia was formally diagnosed, pointing to reduced productivity as the cause.
Throughout the 12-year study, it was estimated that the financial impact on patients reached approximately $86,000 in lost wages due to the effects of the disease.
Dr Eino Solje, a neurologist who led the research, said: ‘Early-onset dementia affects people during their most productive years and is associated with a decreased ability to work, increased unemployment and leaving jobs sooner than planned.
‘These changes can reduce household income and contribute to broader economic impact.
‘Our study found an association between reduced work productivity and early-onset dementia up to 15 years before diagnosis.’
Struggling at work could be an early warning sign of dementias, a study suggests
He added: ‘These findings may partly be explained by delays in diagnosis, which can prolong the period of unrecognized symptoms, and they underscore the harmful, long-term socioeconomic impact of early-onset dementia.’
Many early-onset dementia patients say their symptoms begin at work. Warning signs include struggling to remember appointments or how to do something they have done for a long time before. Some also struggle to concentrate or follow conversations.
In later stages, patients also suffer from severe mood swings, deepening confusion about time, place and life events and suspicion of family or friends.
There is no cure for the disease, but medications are available that may help to slow its progression.
About 200,000 Americans suffer from early-onset dementia, estimates suggest, but that number is rising. Latest health insurance data shows claims for the condition rose 200 percent between 2013 and 2017.
In the study, published in the journal Neurology, researchers tracked 793 early-onset dementia patients for 12 years before their diagnosis.
Overall, 421 patients were struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, while 179 had frontotemporal dementia and nearly 200 others had other forms of dementia, including vascular dementia.
They were matched to 7,000 healthy individuals with a similar age, background and wages over the same period. In the analysis, data was adjusted for factors such as salaries and medical conditions, which can affect earnings.
Broken down by dementia type, researchers found those suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s had lower earnings compared to healthy peers six years before their diagnosis.
Those with frontotemporal dementia had lower earnings from 11 years before their diagnosis.
The study did not conclusively prove that lower wages compared to peers show someone has dementia, only that this is a potential warning sign. Other factors may also be behind the results.
It isn’t clear what causes early-onset dementia, but scientists say about one in 10 people have genes that raise their risk. Those with relatives who have the disease are at a higher risk.
Other factors such as a brain injury from an early stroke or heavy alcohol use may also raise someone’s risk of the disease.
The disease is diagnosed by doctors who assess patients for warning signs of the disease.
Some patients do continue to work for years after a diagnosis, doctors say, but others stop.
Those with early-onset dementia live for about nine years after their diagnosis.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that while a suspect was taken to the hospital, no deputies sustained injuries during the incident.
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — New insights have been released by Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook concerning a shooting involving a deputy that occurred near Blanding Boulevard on Wednesday afternoon.
According to Cook, at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, authorities were alerted about a man named Daniel Siewert who was live-streaming on TikTok and expressing threats of self-harm.
A deputy was dispatched to Siewert’s residence in Orange Park. Sheriff Cook reported that upon the deputy’s arrival, Siewert denied any threatening remarks. However, a firearm was observed on a table inside the home. Concluding there was no immediate danger, the officers departed from the scene.
Approximately an hour later, the sheriff’s office was contacted by a relative of Siewert. The family member conveyed that Siewert had expressed intentions of overdosing on non-prescription drugs and was reportedly prepared to confront law enforcement should they return.
After deputies returned to his home, Cook says that Siewert had begun walking away on foot towards a business center south of Wells Road and near the Orange Park Mall, with what was believed to be a firearm. A perimeter was established while deputies attempted to make further contact.
After 2 p.m., Cook says that the agency received another call alleging that Stewart was behind a dumpster and texting about “having a shootout with law enforcement.” After making contact, Cook says that Siewert pointed a firearm at a deputy, prompting a surrounding deputy to open fire, hitting Siewert.
Siewert then came out from behind the dumpster and surrendered. He was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
No deputies were harmed during the shooting, and Siewert’s condition is currently unknown.
Watch the full press conference below:
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Over recent years, Poland has been diligently prepping its populace for the looming threat of conflict with Russia. In anticipation, metro stations have been converted into bomb shelters, and citizens have been educated in essential survival techniques. Now, the Polish authorities are increasingly concerned about an impending “provocation” from Russia.
In a recent statement that underscores the gravity of the situation, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk cautioned the public, “I don’t mean to scare anyone, but the coming months may truly be critical.”
According to Tusk, this warning originates from United States intelligence, which suggests that Russia might be gearing up to launch an attack on Poland, aiming to challenge NATO’s resolve.
Polish media outlets have relayed information indicating that the US has alleged a forthcoming Russian “provocation” in the upcoming months. This could manifest in various forms, ranging from a targeted drone strike on critical infrastructure to a minor ground incursion into Polish lands.
Emphasizing the urgency with which Poland is tackling this issue, Tusk noted, “Poland is preparing very intensively for various scenarios.”
“Let’s not be afraid … but we cannot ignore them.”
Poland, along with its Baltic Sea allies Finland, Lithuania, and Estonia, blame growing Russian aggression for cyber attacks and drone incursions they say are testing their defences.
Now, as tensions between the US and Europe threaten to come to a head again at the NATO summit in Türkiye, questions remain about how far Russia would go to exploit Europe’s weaknesses.
‘Poke and provoke’
Meanwhile, Mick Ryan, senior fellow for military studies at the Lowy Institute, told SBS News the threat of Russian aggression should be taken “very seriously”.
“So somehow he has to manufacture a victory, either through Ukraine or something else.”
It’s the “something else” Ryan said should concern NATO members.
The reported goal of Russian provocation would be to test NATO resolve and force Ukraine’s allies to suspend aid, according to The Telegraph in the United Kingdom.
Article 5 of the NATO treaty requires member states, including the US, to come to the collective defence of another member if it is attacked.
According to The Telegraph, Polish security forces suspected Russia would potentially stage an accidental incursion, such as a GPS failure leading to an incursion on Polish territory, to provoke a NATO negotiation rather than an armed response.
They believed Russia would then use those talks to reduce Western support for Ukraine.
Bart Hogeveen, senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told SBS News this is consistent with Russia’s history.
“There are things in the Russian playbook they could use to just poke and provoke Poland, and by extension the European partners and NATO allies,” he said.
“Poland is an important supporter of Ukraine, both in material terms as well as logistically … so it’s heavily directed at Poland, but it’s there to undermine support to Ukraine.”
Train stations into bunkers
Poland’s proximity to Russia and its ally, Belarus, means it has long felt Russia’s presence on its doorstep. In recent years, Poland has blamed Russia for growing acts of aggression against its territory.
“We’ve seen drone incursions in Polish airspace, which last year had to be taken down by fighter jets … we’ve seen the sabotage of Polish railway infrastructure, which is used for [sending] military supplies to Ukraine,” Hogeveen said.
In response, Poland has embarked on a massive military build-up, spending 4.48 per cent of their GDP on defence in 2025, according to NATO calculations.
Ryan said Poland’s military is the most “capable” in Europe, with one of the region’s largest inventories of assets such as tanks, air defence systems and drones.
“They’ve built their military up to one of the largest and most capable in Europe … You’ve also seen NATO change its contingency plans over the last couple of years for deterring and responding to Russia,” he said.
Training programs offer weekend courses to teach civilians survival skills like how to light and extinguish fires, all with the aim of preparing citizens for war.
In late 2025, the Polish capital, Warsaw, announced plans to upgrade its underground train network to function as bomb shelters in the event of military attacks.
Russia’s ‘bloody nose’
Both Hogeveen and Ryan told SBS News they thought a conventional military attack against Poland was unlikely.
“Russia has no prospect of a successful military campaign against Europe,” Ryan said.
“They’re weaker, they’re poorer, and they’re very run down after Ukraine.”
However, Russia could exploit cracks in the relationship between Europe and the US, which reached a breaking point last year as Trump threatened to annex Greenland.
In January this year, NATO sent troops to Greenland following Trump’s threats, pitting the alliance against one of its founding members.
Hogeveen said stoking those tensions would be in Russia’s interest.
“Russia would love us to have a debate about Article 5, where the main question is, will the US come to the defence of its allies or not?” he said.
“If Europe is bogged down into that debate that distracts from support to Ukraine, and distracts from potential issues for a negotiated settlement.”
Ryan said it is “difficult to foresee” how the US would respond to an attack against Poland, but he was certain that Russia wouldn’t risk open warfare against Europe with or without Trump’s backing.
“I think [Russia] would receive a very significant bloody nose.”
In a call on the US’ 250th birthday celebration, Putin reportedly told Trump that Russia was advancing confidently on the battlefield against Ukraine.
On the front lines, Russian forces have made almost no progress in recent months, largely due to the presence of drones, which hinder the movement of heavy vehicles and inflict heavy losses on both sides.
Diplomatically, negotiations are at an impasse, with Moscow demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the entire Donetsk region — a demand Kyiv rejects.
A vibrant 22-year-old social media star and model lost her life in a devastating car accident over the weekend, which also resulted in another fatality, according to local authorities.
Officials have identified one of the deceased as Ayzia J. Toledo, a resident from the Philadelphia area, cherished for her fashion influence and lifestyle posts shared under the username “AYZIA J.”
On Sunday night, Toledo was at the wheel of a BMW alongside two passengers when she lost control on a highway in New Jersey, police informed News Media on Monday.
The car careened off the road, overturned, and slammed into a tree in Deptford Township, roughly 12 miles from Philadelphia.
The accompanying image features Ayzia J. Toledo posing for a selfie and enjoying a moment at a park picnic.(@ayziajxo/Instagram)
“Toledo lost directional control of the vehicle, ran off the roadway to the left, overturned and struck a tree,” New Jersey State Police said.
Both Toledo and her front-seat passenger “sustained fatal injuries,” according to authorities.
The second victim was identified as Henrietta F. Carter, a 22-year-old woman from Darby, Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia suburb.
A third passenger who was seated in the rear of the vehicle suffered minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital, authorities said.
Officials said the crash remains under investigation.
FITNESS INFLUENCER STEPHANIE BUTTERMORE DEAD AT 36, FIANCÉ CONFIRMS IN HEARTBREAKING POST
Content creator Ayzia J. Toledo takes a selfie wearing glasses.(@ayziajxo/Instagram)
Toledo was a popular social media influencer who frequently shared content about beauty, fashion and her life in the Philadelphia area. She had amassed more than 300,000 followers across her social media accounts, including more than 250,000 followers on TikTok and about 87,000 on Instagram.
Following news of her death, fans flooded her social media pages with messages of grief and condolences.
According to a GoFundMe page dedicated to Toledo, she had been “building an incredible future for herself.”
“Ayzia was deeply loved by her family, cherished by her close friends, and admired by many throughout her community,” the fundraiser said.
“Ayzia has gone home to Heaven to rest peacefully alongside her beloved mother and grandmother.”
Ayzia J. Toledo was known across platforms for her beauty and modeling content.(@ayziajxo/Instagram)
Her death came on the same day another young influencer was killed in a drive-by shooting while riding in a Lamborghini SUV in Miramar, Florida.
Officials identified the woman as 21-year-old content creator Brianna Johnson, who was known to her followers as DreamDoll Brii.
LIV Golf has notified its teams in the U.S. and the U.K. about potential widespread job cuts. This development arises as the league scrambles to sustain operations after the Saudi Public Investment Fund decided to withdraw its financial backing once this season ends.
Reports surfaced on Wednesday morning detailing that employees were informed of the league’s intention to submit a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, signaling possible layoffs.
The WARN Act mandates that businesses with more than 100 staff members must provide a minimum of 60 days’ notice before executing mass layoffs or shutting down facilities. The U.K. has a similar regulatory requirement for such circumstances.
LIV has four events remaining on its schedule for 2026, with the first coming at the end of the month in the United Kingdom. Getty Images
With dual headquarters in New York and London, LIV Golf operates with a global workforce of over 300 employees.
However, as per a statement made to the Sports Business Journal by a league spokesperson, no layoffs or alterations in current activities have been implemented at LIV Golf.
“As our process to identify strategic investors moves forward in a positive direction, and as part of responsible planning for a range of possible outcomes, we have notified employees in the United States and United Kingdom of potential future actions related to the League’s corporate workforce,” the spokesperson said. “This step is being taken in accordance with legal obligations in each jurisdiction. We deeply appreciate our employees’ continued dedication as we work toward a strong and sustainable future for the League.”
LIV has four events remaining on its schedule for 2026, with the first coming at the end of the month in the United Kingdom.
SBJ reported that LIV Golf employees are expected to carry on their day-to-day roles.
All of this comes as LIV looks for a way forward after this season, when the PIF pulls its funding and creating a level of uncertainty about how the league will go on.
Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed already have begun the process of returning to the PGA Tour and execs for LIV are scrambling to find investors to fund LIV Golf.
LIV is looking for long-term investors and seeking somewhere between $250 million and $350 million to keep the lights on after this season, Sportico reported.
Ice Spice has expanded her impressive collection of jewelry with a stunning new piece.
The rapper, known for her hit “Princess Diana,” has unveiled a striking new diamond tongue ring, valued at a whopping $50,000 according to the jeweler.
Benny The Jeweler, who crafted the piece, proudly announced on Instagram on July 8, “Biggest tongue ring in the world made for @icespice.” He added, “Flawless diamond made with 18k gold!” alongside a video showcasing the exquisite jewelry.
Benny—who counts stars such as Usher, Saquon Barkley, Jake Paul, and Nicki Minaj among his clients—shared an image of Ice Spice playfully displaying the tongue ring.
At 26, Ice Spice, whose real name is Isis Naija Gaston, has previously commissioned Benny for other bespoke diamond creations. Her collection includes a diamond-encrusted Richie watch, reportedly worth $250,000, and a custom piece styled after her likeness, adorned with over 80 carats of diamonds.
“This is my baby,” Ice Spice said while showing off the custom piece on a 2023 appearance on Capital Radio. “This is fan art. I’m obsessed with that.”
