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Marissa Roy Leads John McKinney in New LA City Attorney Poll

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A Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate is holding a substantial early advantage in the race to lead Los Angeles’ nearly $200 million city attorney’s office, according to a new poll that could raise concerns among her opponents.

Marissa Roy, a deputy California attorney general endorsed by the DSA, leads veteran prosecutor John McKinney by 20% to 10% in the contest, according to a survey from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.

The race remains wide open, however, with 70% of likely voters saying they have not yet chosen a candidate. The findings were published Sunday by the Los Angeles Times.

McKinney told The California Post that he believes the race will shift as voters learn more about his record and views on homelessness and public safety. With most voters still undecided, he said, his campaign is confident it can prevail in November.

McKinney also attacked Roy over her reported opposition to enforcing the city’s homeless encampment ban and what he characterized as crime policies similar to those associated with former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. He argued that voters would ultimately view her as too extreme and disconnected from the city’s concerns.

The Berkeley survey included 2,150 likely voters questioned between Sept. 15 and 20. Roy and McKinney are competing to succeed City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, who failed to advance from the June primary.

Los Angeles’ city attorney oversees misdemeanor prosecutions. The office reviews roughly 120,000 potential violations each year and determines which cases should move forward.

Its responsibilities also include defending City Hall in lawsuits and helping draft the municipal laws that govern daily life for Los Angeles residents.

Roy, 34, serves in the California Department of Justice’s consumer protection division. She is also a member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which has endorsed her campaign.

The DSA’s Los Angeles platform calls for reducing the city’s reliance on armed police. It supports fewer sworn officers and advocates assigning unarmed personnel to duties such as traffic enforcement and responding to mental health emergencies.

Roy’s most contentious connection to the city attorney’s office emerged during the 2022 election, when she participated in conversations about a proposed 100-day pause on filing new misdemeanor cases.

Documents obtained exclusively by The California Post indicated that the proposed pause could have applied to offenses such as trespassing, loitering, public intoxication and possession of small amounts of drugs.

Roy told The Post that she did not personally endorse a blanket moratorium. Her campaign website says many misdemeanor cases are linked to poverty, mental illness or substance addiction.

Rather than sending people accused of low-level offenses directly into the court system, Roy supports expanding access to treatment, housing and diversion programs.

McKinney has presented a sharply different approach to the city attorney’s role.

The 58-year-old prosecutor has spent more than 27 years with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. His career includes prosecuting the case involving the killing of rapper Nipsey Hussle.

McKinney is campaigning on a pledge to use the city attorney’s prosecutorial authority to address street disorder and clear homeless encampments from sidewalks.

His campaign has received support from Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing LAPD officers.

Roy’s lead comes as another DSA-endorsed candidate gains ground in a high-profile Los Angeles contest.

Earlier in the week, the same Berkeley poll showed City Councilwoman Nithya Raman leading Mayor Karen Bass in a hypothetical mayoral matchup, 39% to 28%, while 33% of voters remained undecided.

Bass campaign spokesperson Alex Stack dismissed that result as an “outlier poll” and predicted a close race.

Voters decide Nov. 3.


Patrick Clancy Reveals Lindsay Clancy’s Son Callan Died in His Arms

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Patrick Clancy spoke emotionally about his final moments with his infant son, Callan.

In January 2023, Patrick returned to the family’s home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, where he found 5-year-old Cora and 3-year-old Dawson dead. His then-wife, Lindsay Clancy, was outside after jumping from a second-story window.

Callan, who was 8 months old, was still alive and was airlifted to Boston Children’s Hospital.

“I didn’t have all the details of Callan’s condition,” Patrick said during a Sept. 20 interview with 60 Minutes. “I just knew that they got a heartbeat back … I really thought there was a chance that Callan would live.”

“I remember thinking, ‘Just give me one. Just give me one kid, and I would raise him as best I could and I would give him the best life I possibly could. I’d tell him about his brother and sister,’” he continued. “And I was holding out hope for that. And then when I got to the hospital, I saw the doctor. I saw the look on her face.”

Callan survived for four more days. “I’m so grateful for those four days that I had with him,” Patrick said. “And I’m so grateful he hung on.”

During those agonizing days, Patrick continued speaking to his son.

“I said, ‘I’m so sorry,’” recalled Patrick, who appeared with his wife, Rachel Danis. “I got to hold him. I got to lie down next to him. And he died in my arms.”

The interview comes just weeks after Lindsay’s murder trial ended in a mistrial.

Patrick Clancy Slams Conspiracy Theories in Lindsay Clancy Case

During the trial, Patrick also faced a wave of conspiracy theories and allegations.

His attorney, Howard Cooper, issued a statement on Sept. 8 condemning the “baseless” claims and warning that legal action could follow.

“This campaign, now fueled by insatiable media coverage, remains at a fever pitch and has resulted in real life threats to his reputation, livelihood, and life,” the statement, obtained by CBS News, said. “Patrick has no choice but to address this situation—with the clear goal of stopping injurious behavior, creating accountability for lies that are self-serving to the perpetrators, and being able to return his attention to what matters: preserving the memory of Cora, Dawson and Callan Clancy and supporting other women facing perinatal mental health challenges.”

“Those responsible should understand that there will be consequences, and every appropriate measure will be pursued to hold them accountable, including legally,” Cooper added. “Law enforcement has been notified.”

Patrick reiterated that position during his 60 Minutes interview. “It’s deeply harmful to the legacy of my children,” he said. “It is a huge distraction from what really matters here, which is perinatal mental health. And it’s done real harm to real people, myself included but also others.”

“It’s painful to see,” he continued. “And it makes it difficult to be in public, and it’s possible that some of those people, after seeing lie after lie after lie, start to believe it. And that’s what we’re left with.”

What Happened in Lindsay Clancy’s Trial?

Lindsay stood trial for the murders of Cora, Dawson and Callan, who were killed on Jan. 24, 2023, at their Massachusetts home.

Her legal team did not dispute that she killed the children but argued that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis.

Prosecutors, however, argued that the killings involved “deliberate premeditation and extreme atrocity and cruelty.”

On Sept. 4, the judge declared a mistrial after the jury deadlocked 11-1. Jurors had favored finding Lindsay not guilty by reason of insanity, but they were ultimately unable to reach a decision.

Lindsay is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 29.

Hurricane Nolo Speeds Away From Hawaii, But Wind, Flood Risks Remain

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HILO, Hawaii – Hurricane Nolo was pulling away from Hawaii on Sunday, but dangerous conditions remained across parts of the islands, where residents were already dealing with the aftermath of earlier storms. Heavy rain, flash flooding and damaging winds continued to pose a threat.

By Sunday morning, Nolo was roughly 260 miles (418 kilometers) southwest of Hawaii’s southernmost point and moving away from the Big Island at approximately 12 mph (19 kph). The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency kept high wind, wind and high surf advisories in effect for portions of the island through Sunday evening. Meanwhile, the hurricane’s maximum sustained winds had strengthened to nearly 105 mph (165 kph).

The National Hurricane Center said Nolo was likely to intensify further and curve northwest by Sunday night. However, the storm’s center was expected to stay well south and southwest of the Hawaiian Islands. Early this week, Nolo was forecast to move toward the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a protected national conservation area.

Forecasters warned that Nolo’s outer rainbands could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Some areas of the Big Island could receive as much as 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain, while heavy downpours were also expected across the other Hawaiian islands.

“Don’t venture out if you don’t have to into the dangerous flooding environment, but also high winds. We can have trees and power lines down,” said Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center.

Downpours swept across southern sections of the Big Island on Saturday afternoon, forcing partial closures along one of the main routes between Kailua-Kona on the western side and Hilo on the east.

Near Naalehu at the island’s southern tip, National Guard personnel helped direct a man attempting to drive through flooded roads as he left his home during the intense rainfall. More than 120 Guard members were deployed on the Big Island, among approximately 400 activated statewide after the governor declared an emergency.

The latest storm arrived as communities continued rebuilding after Hurricane Lala, whose powerful winds and heavy rain reportedly tore about 100 homes from their foundations on the Big Island.

Hawaii braces for Nolo’s northern edge

At Carlsmith Beach Park in Hilo, about a dozen people entered the water Saturday morning despite posted notices that the beach was closed. Andrea Gill, who had gone for her usual swim, planned to return home and shelter with her family.

Businesses were boarded up and public events were called off as the storm approached. Gill said residents were accustomed to frequent rain but less familiar with hurricane-force winds, and she hoped Nolo would spare the islands from its worst effects.

“We’re used to lots of rain. We’re not used to wind. So it’s always a blessing when we don’t get the wind from the hurricane,” Gill said.

President Donald Trump signed an emergency declaration Friday, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts and make financial assistance available.

Hawaiian Electric said crews that had been helping restore electricity on Kauai following Hurricane Lowell earlier this month were redirected to Oahu, Maui and the Big Island ahead of Nolo’s arrival.

On Maui, a brush fire erupted in the western part of the island Saturday, leading to mandatory evacuations for some residents. The blaze was burning near Olowalu, approximately 7 miles (11 kilometers) south of Lahaina, where deadly fires struck in 2023. Hawaiian Electric shut off power to much of the area as a precaution against the fire.

The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for portions of Maui Saturday evening. The alert covered winds of at least 40 mph (64 kph), with gusts potentially exceeding 60 mph (97 kph).

The Pacific has experienced an unusually busy hurricane season, said National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Oravec. Storm activity has been running above normal during the peak period of the season, a pattern he said is often associated with El Niño conditions, which can fuel more tropical storms and hurricanes across the Pacific.

Powerful Hurricane Polo takes aim at Mexico

Farther east, Mexico was preparing for Hurricane Polo as the storm moved toward the Baja California Peninsula after producing severe weather along the country’s southwestern coast. By Sunday, Polo had slowed and weakened to a Category 3 hurricane, Mexico’s National Meteorological Service, known as SMN, reported.

In a post on X early Sunday, SMN said Polo was moving toward the peninsula at around 10 mph (16 kph) and was expected to make landfall Monday. The hurricane had sustained winds of about 120 mph (195 kph), down from its peak of 140 mph (220 kph).

The Mexican navy said in a statement that it has gathered personnel and humanitarian aid in the ports of Guaymas and Mazatlan, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, and has deployed three vessels that could ship aid to coastal communities isolated by the hurricane.

One of the towns in the hurricane’s projected path is San Juanico, a small fishing community on Baja’s Pacific coast where access to basic needs is already fickle. The town has only had full-time electricity for a couple of years, and it still experiences frequent outages. The closest gas station is so far away that fuel is stored in and sold from tanks, and supply frequently runs out if there is high demand. There is concern that washed out roads could block access to the closest medical facility, about 80 minutes away in Ciudad Constitucion.

“Our people are concerned about this event,” said Gloriely Robles Meza, a manager at a small hotel. “We haven’t faced such a worrying situation in many years.”

Robles Meza said Sunday that the Mexican Army arrived in San Juanico to prepare a shelter and to provide support for possible emergencies. An electrical crew was also there to prepare for Polo’s arrival.

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Associated Press writers Christopher Weber in Los Angeles, Gabriela Aoun Angueira in San Diego, California, and Hannah Schoenbaum in Midway, Utah, contributed.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Texas Clinic Owner Convicted in $26 Million Military Health Care Fraud Scheme Involving Gold-Plated Cybertruck

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The owner of a Texas mental health clinic has been convicted in federal court after prosecutors accused him of masterminding a $26 million fraud scheme targeting the military’s health care program. Authorities said he used some of the proceeds for extravagant purchases, including a gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck valued at more than $100,000.

Kevin D. Curry, 64, of Frisco, was found guilty Thursday in Fort Worth of three health care fraud counts, three counts involving the offering or payment of illegal health care kickbacks and three counts of conducting monetary transactions with criminally derived property, the Justice Department said.

Prosecutors said Curry took advantage of TRICARE, the federal health program for active-duty service members, military retirees and their families. His clinics allegedly billed the program for transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, treatments that were medically unnecessary or never administered.

FBI LAUNCHES ‘MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS’ LIST AS DOJ CHARGES OHIO DEFENDANTS IN $30M MEDICAID SCHEME FOR KIDS

Gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck purchased by Kevin Curry with proceeds from a $26 million TRICARE fraud scheme

Federal prosecutors said Kevin Curry bought this gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck with money generated through a $26 million scheme targeting TRICARE. (DOJ)

Trial evidence showed that Curry owned and ran mental health clinics in Plano and Fort Worth, Texas, along with another location in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Prosecutors said he paid more than $5.5 million in illegal kickbacks to persuade active-duty service members, veterans and relatives to agree to TMS therapy for which they did not qualify and, in many cases, never received.

Judge Leonie Brinkema said the issues at the center of a lawsuit involving the Anti-Weaponization Fund remain “alive and kicking,” even as the Justice Department maintains that the fund no longer exists. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

The Justice Department alleged that Curry falsely portrayed himself as a medical doctor, used the credentials of licensed physicians without their permission and instructed employees to create fake medical records to support the claims submitted to TRICARE.

According to the department, Curry’s clinics filed more than $26 million in false, fraudulent or kickback-tainted claims. TRICARE paid out roughly $17 million on those claims.

Close up of the DOJ podium.

Justice Department attorneys asked a federal judge Friday to throw out a lawsuit challenging the Anti-Weaponization Fund, saying Attorney General Todd Blanche officially ended the fund on Aug. 2. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Prosecutors also accused Curry of laundering part of the proceeds through luxury hotel bookings, an extravagant casino-themed party and the purchase of a gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck worth more than $100,000.

“This defendant exploited a critical health care program serving active-duty servicemembers and their families, diverting taxpayer dollars to bankroll personal luxuries ranging from hotel stays to a casino-themed party and even a gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck,” Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald said.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said Curry “shamelessly preyed on the trust of servicemembers, veterans, and their families.” Raybould accused him of falsifying medical records, misusing doctors’ identities and filing fraudulent, kickback-tainted claims for profit.

Curry will be sentenced later and could receive up to 10 years in prison for each of the nine counts. The federal district judge will set the sentence after weighing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors required by law.

Hamptons Socialite Ousted From Mansion Exposes Explosive Secrets

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CommBank Staff Fury Over CEO’s $250K ‘People and Leadership’ Bonus

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Northeast Nor’easter Floods Coast, Leaves Thousands Without Power

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Forecasters cautioned that another cycle of high tides could flood already vulnerable coastal areas.

BOSTON — A powerful nor’easter continued sweeping across the Northeast on Sunday, flooding coastal communities and knocking out power for tens of thousands of homes and businesses. Forecasters warned that another round of high tides could bring additional inundation to exposed shorelines.

The slow-moving storm, which killed a New York City Housing Authority worker after a tree fell Saturday, was expected to persist through Sunday, bringing heavy rain, damaging winds and dangerous surf from New Jersey through New England.

Early Sunday, the storm was positioned just south of Long Island and east of northern New Jersey. It was expected to circle the region for about another 24 hours, said Bob Oravec, a lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.

The heaviest remaining rain was forecast from northern New Jersey through New York City and Long Island and into southern New England. Although the storm was gradually weakening, Oravec said tidal flooding would remain a concern during high-tide cycles Sunday morning and again Sunday evening.

“The most impactful parts of the storm are likely going to be the high winds and the tidal flooding,” Oravec said.

More than 100,000 customers across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic were without electricity Sunday morning, according to PowerOutage.us. The outages included more than 40,000 customers in New York, 31,000 in Connecticut, 21,000 in New Jersey and 11,000 in Massachusetts.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said response coordination centers in affected areas were operating at an “enhanced posture.” Teams were also on standby in New England in case the storm caused widespread outages.

Flooding brought unusual scenes to New Jersey and New York on Saturday, with some residents kayaking through submerged streets while others went to beaches to surf unusually large waves. In Sea Bright, New Jersey, emergency crews rescued a woman and her dog after floodwaters trapped their vehicle, ABC7 reported.

In Surf City, New Jersey, water poured into a marina despite workers moving equipment to higher ground. Owner Kenny Formica said customers reported that boats and Jet Skis had disappeared or been blown off their lifts. In Norfolk, Virginia, floodwaters forced passing vehicles to push wakes through some streets.

The nor’easter also caused widespread travel disruptions. Hundreds of flights were canceled at Boston Logan International Airport, while flooding severed highway access to North Carolina’s Hatteras Island. Visitors were stranded, and one couple had to find a new location for their wedding after most of their approximately 45 guests could not reach the island.

AP journalist Julie Walker contributed from New York.

Texas Gov. Abbott’s Race Could Signal a 2026 GOP Wipeout: Begala

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Democratic strategist Paul Begala is forecasting a Republican “wipeout” in the 2026 midterms, citing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s unexpectedly competitive reelection campaign as an early warning sign for the GOP.

Begala, a veteran Democratic strategist, said Sunday that Abbott’s narrowing advantage over Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa could reflect a much broader surge for Democrats heading into November.

“This is not going to be a win,” said Begala, who helped engineer Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential victory, during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“And it’s not going to be a wave. It’s going to be a wipeout.”

The Texas governor’s race has tightened sharply, with Abbott’s polling lead shrinking from seven points to 1.8 points in the RealClearPolitics average.

Abbott, who is seeking an unprecedented fourth term, remains the odds-on favorite. Still, his margin was nearly 11 percentage points in his 2022 reelection victory.

Republican strategist Ashley Davis challenged Begala’s forecast, saying a Democratic takeover of the Senate is far from certain. She also argued that Republicans are unlikely to endure the kind of historic House collapse Democrats suffered in 2010.

“Is this an election against Trump? Yes,” Davis said. “Do I think we’re going to lose the Senate right now? Probably not.”

Davis also noted that the Democratic Party is less popular today than it was during previous wave elections. In 2018, generic-ballot polling showed Democrats ahead of Republicans by 12 points; that advantage is now about 5 points.

Even so, Abbott’s contest against Hinojosa is attracting national attention — in part because Abbott is no ordinary incumbent.

The 68-year-old Republican has served as Texas governor since 2015. Before taking office, he was the state’s attorney general and a member of the Texas Supreme Court.

Winning a fourth full term would eventually make Abbott the longest-serving governor in Texas history.

Abbott’s campaign reported more than $67 million in cash on hand as of June 30 and said it collected over $28 million during the first half of 2026. Later campaign-finance filings from other sources put his war chest above $100 million.

But his job approval rating has fallen by 3% over the past four years, according to the Texas Politics Project, giving Hinojosa an opening to criticize his record.

Hinojosa, a 52-year-old Austin lawyer, has centered her campaign on the cost of living, public education, energy policy and the influence of major corporations. She says Texans are prepared for a change after more than a decade under Abbott’s leadership.

Begala said Abbott’s failure to reach 50% support in some polls is especially troubling for a sitting governor.

“When strategists read polls, they say, where’s the incumbent?” Begala said. “And if the incumbent’s below 50, he’s in big trouble.”

Begala also credited Hinojosa and fellow Democratic state Rep. James Talarico — who is running in the more closely watched Senate race — with mobilizing voters disillusioned by President Trump.

“We have a very vulnerable country, and Gina is, I think, running a great campaign along with James Talarico in energizing all these voters who have been so turned off by Trump,” he said.

Bill Gates Warns AI Could Kill Billions Without Safeguards

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Bill Gates has issued a stark warning about the dangers posed by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, the Microsoft co-founder urged governments to strengthen oversight of the technology and warned that AI could potentially contribute to events resulting in “a billion deaths.”

“AI is certainly powerful enough to drive events that cause a billion deaths,” Gates told moderator Kirsten Welker. He added that while wiping out all of humanity would be extremely difficult, no previous weapon had combined such extraordinary power with people acting on malicious intent and access to advanced AI tools.

Welker asked Gates what measures could help prevent AI-related disasters, prompting him to outline some of the challenges facing regulators and the technology industry.

Gates said AI could make it increasingly difficult to tell the difference between researchers working on lifesaving treatments and bad actors attempting to develop biological weapons.

“I wish it was easier to distinguish good intent, like I want to design a new drug for a disease, versus negative intent, which is I want to design a tool of bioterrorism,” Gates said.

He argued that the potential consequences make rigorous oversight of the most advanced AI systems essential, and called on the United States to take the lead in creating meaningful safeguards.

“Because those are so close, we do need to monitor any sophisticated model and record exactly what’s being done,” Gates said.

Gates called for greater government oversight of the emerging tech, while sharing that it could cause 'a billion deaths'

Gates urged stronger government oversight of AI after warning that the technology could contribute to “a billion deaths”

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman talks with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg at President Donald Trump's State Dinner for China's President Xi Jinping on September 24. Altman and Zuckerberg are some of the trailblazers in the AI world

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg at President Donald Trump’s state dinner for China’s President Xi Jinping on September 24. Both executives are prominent figures in the AI industry

Gates said China was likely to adopt comparable safeguards, but maintained that the United States should move first by setting clear standards for the industry.

“You’ll hear from the industry, it’s a very doable thing. It would not slow them down dramatically,” he said.

He distinguished those protections from the separate question of whether the broader development of AI should be slowed.

“These safeguards, their monitoring, are separate from whether we would be better off slowing down,” Gates explained.

President Donald Trump rejected the idea earlier this month that advances in AI could lead to the end of humanity, telling reporters that such outcomes were “things that won’t happen.”

“We’re leading China in AI. We’re the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins,” Trump told reporters at his golf course in Doonbeg while attending the Irish Open earlier this month.

House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has also weighed in, saying in a CNN interview earlier in September: “We cannot put a moratorium on this because China will overlap us.”

Democrats, by contrast, have appeared more open to regulating the fast-moving technology.

Former Democratic President Barack Obama recently offered his own assessment at a private gathering, according to reporting first published by The New York Times.

“This is something that is moving very fast in private hands, and if we don’t get on top of it, I think it can be dangerous,” Obama reportedly said at an event this month, according to the Times.

Obama, who believes that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will be the next Speaker after the November elections, also urged the top Democrat to act.

US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks to members of the media after exiting Air Force One at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on September 27, 2026

US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks to members of the media after exiting Air Force One at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on September 27, 2026

‘Once you are speaker, I would strongly urge that the Democrats put together a framework for a very public conversation,’ Obama told Jeffries per the Times.

This comes after Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon sensationally resigned from his position and accused the company and its rival OpenAI of not doing enough to address the potential dangers of the technology earlier this month.

Coxon warned that researchers working in the field believe AI could potentially ‘kill all humans’ by the end of the decade.

Days later, an Anthropic report said that it has stopped several potential plots to build biological weapons using its artificial intelligence this year.

The company determined that scientists were using its platforms to conduct research that could be used to develop biological weapons, according to the company’s new AI misuse report that was obtained by The New York Times.

Anthropic was unable to determine if the research ‘served a legitimate or nefarious purpose,’ the report said.

The firm noted that valid biological inquiry can result in scientific breakthroughs like vaccines, but the company erred on the side of caution because that same research could also be used to create dangerous pathogens. 

Celebs Embrace the ‘Great Deflate’ as Facial Fillers Fade

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For decades, cosmetic procedures have played a major role in Hollywood beauty culture, from fuller lips and defined cheekbones to smoother complexions and expressions that appeared almost completely frozen.

Now, however, an increasing number of celebrities seem to be stepping away from fillers and Botox, choosing instead to showcase their natural features.

The entertainment industry appears to be undergoing a subtle beauty reset. Some actors are embracing facial movement as an essential part of their performances, while other high-profile figures are championing individuality and a less rigid approach to looking youthful.

The change has been dubbed the Great Deflate.

After years of being told that fuller lips, more sculpted cheeks and flawless skin represented the ideal look, stars including Kylie Jenner, Kristin Davis and Megan McKenna have discussed procedures they later decided to dissolve, reverse or remove.

The trend has now prompted fans to ask whether it may even be reaching the upper ranks of celebrity royalty.

Nicole Kidman has recently fueled speculation after appearing more relaxed in a series of public appearances. There is no confirmation that the actress has ever had dermal filler, but her changing look has nevertheless attracted attention.

So what do aesthetic and surgical specialists think? Four experts offer their views on eight women currently in the spotlight…

Then: Nicole Kidman has previously admitted to trying Botox and later said she regretted it

Then: Nicole Kidman previously acknowledged trying Botox before later saying she regretted the decision

Now: While there has been no confirmation that she has reversed any cosmetic work, fans have been quick to speculate on recent footage featuring the star with a noticeably more relaxed look

Now: There is no confirmation that Nicole Kidman has reversed cosmetic work, but fans have speculated after seeing recent footage in which the actress appeared noticeably more relaxed

Nicole Kidman has become the latest celebrity to leave fans questioning whether she is embracing a softer, more natural appearance.

The 59-year-old actress, who has previously said she tried Botox and later regretted it, appeared to show more facial movement during a recent appearance on The One Show with her Practical Magic 2 co-star Sandra Bullock.

Neither Kidman nor her representatives have confirmed that she has reversed cosmetic treatment—or that she has undergone such work in the first place. Even so, recent footage has encouraged fans to examine her appearance closely.

Beneath a video message Kidman recorded for Lane Cove Public School in August, one amused viewer commented: ‘[Oh my God,] did her face actually move (a little)?’

Dr Tom Kamal, an aesthetic doctor and founder of The Dr Tom Clinic, said: ‘In the earlier image, Nicole appears to have greater fullness around the mid-face and under-eye area, which may be consistent with filler.

‘In the newer image, that fullness appears reduced, leaving her features looking softer and more natural.

‘What is interesting is that she does not appear to have experienced major volume loss. This could indicate that, rather than abandoning filler altogether, she may be opting for smaller, carefully placed amounts to retain volume without creating an overfilled appearance.’

Then: Kristin Davis, 61, has spoken openly about having her fillers dissolved after feeling unhappy with the way her face had changed, paired with the vicious comments she received online

Then: Kristin Davis, 61, has openly discussed dissolving her fillers after becoming unhappy with changes to her face, alongside the harsh online criticism she faced

Now: Lately, the Sex and the City star has been sporting a stripped-back look - proving that sometimes less really is more

Now: The Sex and the City star has recently embraced a more pared-back appearance, suggesting that a subtle approach can sometimes have the greatest impact

Kristin Davis, 61, has spoken candidly about dissolving her fillers after feeling uncomfortable with the way her face had changed. Her decision also came amid a wave of cruel comments directed at her online.

She told The Telegraph in 2023: ‘I have done fillers and it’s been good and I’ve done fillers and it’s been bad. I’ve had to get them dissolved and I’ve been ridiculed relentlessly. And I have shed tears about it. It’s very stressful.’

Lately, the Sex and the City star has been sporting a stripped-back look – proving that sometimes less really is more. 

Anastasia Koles, Aesthetic Nurse and founder of ALTA Medi Clinic London weighed in: ‘Kristin has spoken openly about having facial filler dissolved after being unhappy with some of her previous results. 

‘You can really see the difference in the more recent image, with less fullness through the face and much softer, more natural contours. 

‘It’s a good example of how reducing excess volume can actually make the face look more balanced and rejuvenated, rather than relying on adding more filler.’

Courtney Cox 

Then: In the past, Courteney Cox, 62, admitted that she became so accustomed to having fillers that she failed to notice how much her face had changed

Then: In the past, Courteney Cox, 62, admitted that she became so accustomed to having fillers that she failed to notice how much her face had changed

Now: It was only after looking at photographs of herself that the Friends star realised she no longer 'looked right,' prompting her to have the fillers dissolved in 2017

Now: It was only after looking at photographs of herself that the Friends star realised she no longer ‘looked right,’ prompting her to have the fillers dissolved in 2017

In the past, Courteney Cox, 62, admitted that she became so accustomed to having fillers that she failed to notice how much her face had changed. 

It was only after looking at photographs of herself that the Friends star realised she no longer ‘looked right,’ prompting her to have the fillers dissolved in 2017. 

These days, it appears the actress is much more comfortable with ageing – and has made no secret of wanting her face to move hand-in-hand with time. 

In 2017, she told New Beauty: ‘I’m as natural as I can be. I feel better because I look like myself. I think that I now look more like the person that I was. I hope I do.’

Anastasia commented: ‘In earlier pictures, Courteney’s face appeared fuller and slightly puffier, which can sometimes be associated with filler. More recently, her face looks much more natural, but without obvious signs of significant volume loss. 

‘That could suggest that rather than stopping filler altogether, she may have moved towards smaller, more strategically placed amounts to preserve volume without creating heaviness.’

Then: Melanie Griffith has been open about her experience with cosmetic treatments, including injections to tackle signs of ageing in her 50s

Then: Melanie Griffith has been open about her experience with cosmetic treatments, including injections to tackle signs of ageing in her 50s

Now: The 69-year-old actress eventually admitted her face had become too altered and decided to have the work dissolved

Now: The 69-year-old actress eventually admitted her face had become too altered and decided to have the work dissolved

Melanie Griffith has been open about her experience with cosmetic treatments, including injections to tackle signs of ageing in her 50s. 

The 69-year-old actress eventually admitted her face had become too altered and decided to have the work dissolved, telling Net-a-Porter’s Porter magazine: ‘I didn’t [realise] until people started saying, “Oh my God, what has she done?!” 

‘I was so hurt I went to a different doctor and he started dissolving all of this s*** that this other woman doctor had put in. Hopefully, I look more normal now.’

Professor Ali Al-Hussaini of Elevate Medical & Aesthetic Clinic, said: ‘Melanie appears to have less facial filler than in previous years, particularly through the cheek area, which could suggest that some filler has been dissolved or allowed to wear down. 

‘The result is a softer, less overfilled appearance, with her natural facial contours coming through much more clearly. It’s a good example of how reducing excessive volume can create a more natural, healthier-looking result.

Kylie Jenner

Then: Kylie Jenner's decision to dissolve her lip filler in 2018 marked a significant change from the look she had become known for

Then: Kylie Jenner’s decision to dissolve her lip filler in 2018 marked a significant change from the look she had become known for

Now: While her once-full lips helped fuel a major beauty trend, especially on social media, Kylie, 29, has since moved towards an overall more natural appearance

Now: While her once-full lips helped fuel a major beauty trend, especially on social media, Kylie, 29, has since moved towards an overall more natural appearance

Kylie Jenner’s decision to dissolve her lip filler in 2018 marked a significant change from the look she had become known for. 

Responding to a fan who’d noticed a dramatic change in the TV star’s appearance on Instagram, she wrote, ‘I got rid of all my filler’, adding two flushed face emojis and one smiley face emoji. 

While her once-full lips helped fuel a major beauty trend, especially on social media, Kylie, 29, has since moved towards an overall more natural appearance.  

Anastasia: ‘Kylie appears to have less facial filler than in previous years, which could suggest that some product has been dissolved or simply allowed to wear down. 

‘That said, she still has very balanced facial volume, so it’s quite possible that she has since had smaller amounts placed more subtly and strategically.’

Molly-Mae Hague 

Then: Molly-Mae Hague, 27, has also stepped back from the heavily enhanced look she embraced before she first appeared on Love Island in 2019

Then: Molly-Mae Hague, 27, has also stepped back from the heavily enhanced look she embraced before she first appeared on Love Island in 2019

Now: In October 2020, the reality TV star sensationally announced she dissolved her lip filler and documented the reversal of some of her cosmetic treatments

Now: In October 2020, the reality TV star sensationally announced she dissolved her lip filler and documented the reversal of some of her cosmetic treatments

Molly-Mae Hague, 27, has also stepped back from the heavily enhanced look she embraced before she first appeared on Love Island in 2019. 

In October 2020, the reality TV star sensationally announced she dissolved her lip filler and documented the reversal of some of her cosmetic treatments in a YouTube video, saying she had gone ‘too far’ and wanted to feel more like herself. 

Dr Tom said: Molly-Mae Hague: Molly-Mae has spoken publicly about having her cheek, jaw and lip filler dissolved, and her face now looks much softer and more natural. 

‘She may have since had a very small amount of filler placed strategically, but if so, it’s subtle enough that it would be difficult to determine from photographs alone.’ 

Megan McKenna 

Then: Megan McKenna has also moved away from the glamorous 'Essex' look she was once known for

Then: Megan McKenna has also moved away from the glamorous ‘Essex’ look she was once known for

Now: The 33-year-old revealed she underwent several rounds of dissolvent to remove her filler and has spoken about wanting a more natural appearance

Now: The 33-year-old revealed she underwent several rounds of dissolvent to remove her filler and has spoken about wanting a more natural appearance

Megan McKenna has also moved away from the glamorous ‘Essex’ look she was once known for. 

The former TOWIE star, 33, previously revealed that she became ’embarrassed’ by her lip fillers as they’d prevented her from being taken seriously as a singer while pursuing a music career in Nashville. 

During an appearance on Loose Women in 2019, the 33-year-old revealed she underwent several rounds of dissolvent to remove her filler and has spoken about wanting a more natural appearance. 

Dr Tom said: Megan McKenna: Megan’s lip profile has noticeably changed. Her lips look less filled and more defined, which gives them a much more natural shape. 

‘Her face also appears fuller and slightly puffier in the previous picture, whereas now her features look softer, more refined and more natural overall.’