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Julian Alvarez’s Future at Arsenal: Exploring the Impact of Atletico Madrid’s Fan Backlash and Transfer Prospects

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Julian Alvarez’s Future at Arsenal: Exploring the Impact of Atletico Madrid’s Fan Backlash and Transfer Prospects

Julian Alvarez found himself in disbelief due to the intense hostility he encountered from Atletico Madrid fans on Sunday, leading him to consider Arsenal as a potential destination.

While moving to Barcelona remains Alvarez’s top preference, Atletico Madrid’s steadfast refusal to engage with the Catalan club might force a last-minute solution before the transfer window closes, as the situation becomes increasingly untenable.

Aware of the reception he would receive for his public declaration during the World Cup that playing for Barcelona was his dream, Alvarez faced a chorus of boos from over 60,000 fans before the match began, which continued when he warmed up and again as he entered the game as a 66th-minute substitute.

This scenario paints a vivid picture of an inevitable split between Alvarez and Atletico, although significant challenges remain if the former Manchester City player is to make a return to the Premier League.

To this point, Alvarez has been resolute about maintaining his family’s residence in Spain. Meanwhile, Arsenal harbors some hesitation regarding a player who has shown a strong inclination towards joining Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez's relationship with the club is broken after he declared during the summer that he wants to move to Barcelona

Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez’s relationship with the club is broken after he declared during the summer that he wants to move to Barcelona

The Argentine striker was booed on and off the pitch at the Metropolitano on Sunday - and now needs a way out of the club with Arsenal interested

The Argentine striker was booed on and off the pitch at the Metropolitano on Sunday – and now needs a way out of the club with Arsenal interested  

I was commentating on Atletico’s draw on Sunday and along with every commentary team inside the stadium concluded – as he walked away from fans and team-mates – that he had done that on his own accord. But Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said after the match that the club had decided he should not join the rest of the players. ‘The decision was not his,’ said Simeone.

Whoever made the call – and an Atletico Madrid press officer had approached Alvarez and spoken to him before he turned and left the pitch – it only served to further open the wounds that have been festering since the World Cup when he admitted: ‘I can’t hide it, I think the best thing is a transfer so I can fulfill my dream.’

Barcelona have so far only made one offer, two months ago, of £77million plus £8.6million in add-ons to be paid over six years, which Atletico Madrid have dismissed as derisory.

Barcelona could make a second offer this week but they do not have the financial muscle to get close to Atletico’s £130million price tag, and regardless, Atletico are adamant they will not sell to them.

Atletico Madrid’s sporting director Mateu Alemany was in London last week to negotiate a possible move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, that trip doubled up as an opportunity to speak to his opposite number at Arsenal, and predecessor at Atletico, Andrea Berta.  

Berta’s Atletico connections would grease the wheels if the two clubs were to try to come to an agreement on how a move to sign Alverez would be structured.

The inclusion of Viktor Gyokeres in any deal would remedy Simeone’s demands for a top-class replacement, though the Sweden striker would not be his first choice in less-rushed circumstances. Simeone is a fan of Jackson and in such a chaotic scenario Chelsea emerging as surprise suitors for Alvarez cannot be ruled out – but it’s Arsenal who have been his long-term admirers.

Just how committed Arsenal would be to the deal if they were encouraged by the player’s camp remains to be seen.

Arsenal are also understood to have some reservations over a player who has made such a big play for Barcelona

Arsenal are also understood to have some reservations over a player who has made such a big play for Barcelona 

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said after the match on Sunday that the club had decided Alvarez should not join the rest of the players in applauding the fans

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said after the match on Sunday that the club had decided Alvarez should not join the rest of the players in applauding the fans

Alvarez has not had a good pre-season, evidenced by a pedestrian 25 minutes on the pitch on Sunday. They would also be signing a player who has made no secret of his desire to be at another club.

One precedent that might allay some of those concerns is that of Sergio Aguero. He wanted to move to Real Madrid in 2011 and Atletico were so adamant that it would not happen they sold him for £38million to Manchester City, where he became a club legend.

Atletico’s determination that Aguero would not join Real Madrid pales into insignificance when compared to their refusal to sell Alvarez now to Barcelona. They have reported Barcelona to FIFA over what they believe was completely inappropriate behaviour during key moments of last season.

The versions of Alvarez’s camp and Atletico’s differ wildly but what they agree on is that at the end of last year the player communicated to the club that he was unhappy. 

Atletico felt they had gone out of their way to give him the support he and his young family needed. The player became a father in January 2026.

At first they continued to assure him they wanted the team to be built around him. But his response was that he felt Atletico’s style of football did not fit with his and he wanted to move on.

The club have briefed that they then told Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, that they were not going to retain the player against his will but that he would need to come up with the right offer and in the correct manner for them to facilitate his departure.

They wanted nothing to happen that would disrupt their season. They believe that in spite of that condition being set, conversations between Alvarez’s agent and Barcelona took place during the campaign and spiked around the time the two teams met in both the Spanish Cup and Champions League.

Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres was an unused substitute for Friday night's victory over Coventry

Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres was an unused substitute for Friday night’s victory over Coventry

Arsenal's sporting director Andrea Berta used to work for Atletico Madrid and his connections would help grease the wheels of any possible transfer

Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta used to work for Atletico Madrid and his connections would help grease the wheels of any possible transfer 

Bad blood continued to run right up to the start of the Spanish season when Atletico’s CEO, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, said Alvarez had been ‘badly advised’ by Hidalgo and the agent responded by posting on social media: ‘Don’t ask a liar to explain why he lied because he’ll just tell you another lie.’

The player’s £220,000-a-week wages would need to be matched at the Emirates, but Arsenal were prepared to pay far more to Vinicius Junior earlier this summer, while Bukayo Saka is also thought to be on more than £300,000 a week in north London. Real Madrid star Vinicius opted to stay put, such was his commitment to the club that had brought him to Europe.

This is a very different case. It’s difficult to think of another example of such animosity between a club and a player on such a long contract. Alvarez’s deal with Atletico runs until 2030.

The next six days will decide if that animosity has reached such a level that Arsenal becomes not just Alvarez’s reluctant alternative but his only escape route from an unsalvageable situation.

Competing in a Hobby Horse Race with a Strictly Superstar: An Unforgettable Experience

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Competing in a Hobby Horse Race with a Strictly Superstar: An Unforgettable Experience

Last weekend was an experience I never anticipated, and certainly one I didn’t expect to share in a national publication. I found myself participating in a hobby horse race at Lingfield Park Racecourse, accompanied by the talented Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden and the well-known Naked Attraction presenter Anna Richardson. Picture this: sprinting on a grassy track while wearing a long dress and sandals, all with a toy horse firmly between your legs—it’s far from straightforward.

In 2023, Amy Dowden faced a daunting challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After discovering a lump, she went through chemotherapy followed by a double mastectomy. Despite these trials, Amy has become a passionate advocate for CoppaFeel, a charity dedicated to encouraging breast self-examinations and raising awareness about breast cancer.

As a journalist, I was invited to cover the races without any inkling that I’d end up joining in the fun. There were 15 women all together, participating for various reasons—some were contestants in a Pink Lady competition, others were influencers, and a few were there just for the thrill of it.

Before the race, we gathered at the starting line, where we posed for a photoshoot alongside the ever-charming Amy. Before long, Channel 4’s Anna Richardson spontaneously decided to join us, kicking off her heels to run barefoot across the grass.

Anna knew how to get us energised, urging volunteers to perform a “comedy fall” to entertain the audience. As the clock struck 4:10pm, before the main events of horse racing slated for 5:30, we enthusiastically lined up, ready to embrace this whimsical race.

After a string of school sports day failures as a child, I was ready to finish last; but lo and behold, I actually surprised myself and ended up placing 4th out of 15. Not bad for a hobby horse novice!

Amy didn’t end up running the race, but was at the podium to congratulate the winner, while Anna ended up somewhere behind me.

Strictly pro Amy said afterwards: “Seeing the ladies throw themselves into the Pink Lady hobby horse race, cheer each other on and completely let go was brilliant. It was a reminder to not take yourself too seriously.”

Shelley Fabares, Beloved Star of The Donna Reed Show and Elvis Film Co-Star, Passes Away at 82

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Shelley Fabares, Beloved Star of The Donna Reed Show and Elvis Film Co-Star, Passes Away at 82

Shelley Fabares smiling

Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

Beloved actress and singer Shelley Fabares has passed away at the age of 82. According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, Fabares died following a brief illness on Saturday, August 22, in Los Angeles. She spent her final moments in the comforting presence of her family and friends.

In a heartfelt statement, her family expressed profound love and admiration: “To us, Shelley was a beacon of love, strength, laughter, and comfort,” they shared. “A devoted wife, a beloved stepmother, and a cherished sister, niece, and aunt. Her loyalty as a friend and her generous spirit touched anyone fortunate enough to know her. Her warmth, humor, and grace left a lasting impression, making others feel valued and cared for at all times.”

Born Michele Ann Marie Fabares, Shelley crafted an unforgettable career with appearances in over 90 films and TV shows. Making her mark in cinema, she starred alongside Elvis Presley in the films “Girl Happy,” “Spinout,” and “Clambake.” Television audiences adored her for her portrayal of Mary Stone on “The Donna Reed Show” and as Francine Webster in “One Day at a Time.” Her standout role as Christine Armstrong on “Coach” garnered her two Primetime Emmy nominations. Transitioning to the 1990s and 2000s, she lent her voice to bring Superman’s mother, Martha Kent, to life in various animated series.

Shelley Fabares was a successful actress and a chart-topping recording artist

Shelley Fabares smiling and wearing her hair up

Harry Langdon/Getty Images

In addition to her acting pursuits, Shelley Fabares achieved notable success in music. Diverging from her movie co-star Elvis Presley’s career path, she embraced singing alongside her acting. While starring in “The Donna Reed Show,” her hit single “Johnny Angel” soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1962, selling over a million copies. Fabares credited her acting for the song’s success, candidly admitting in a 1983 interview (via The Hollywood Reporter), “I literally cannot sing. There was a lot of overdubbing. It was a unique situation. But given the success of ‘The Donna Reed Show’ at the time, the song found a ready audience.”

Despite her professional triumphs, Fabares faced significant personal challenges. In 1999, she was confronted with liver failure and endured a challenging 22-month wait before receiving a life-saving transplant in October 2000.

Fabares was married twice: First to producer Lou Adler in 1964, separating after just two years but not officially divorcing until 1980. She is survived by her second husband, “M*A*S*H” star Mike Farrell, whom she married in 1984. Looper’s condolences go out to Fabares’ family and loved ones. 

Discover the Secret to Superior Core Strength After 60: Outperform 90% of Your Peers with This Plank Challenge

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Discover the Secret to Superior Core Strength After 60: Outperform 90% of Your Peers with This Plank Challenge

Perfecting your plank form is more than just a fitness challenge—it’s a way to make day-to-day activities smoother.

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Planks are highly esteemed by many fitness experts for their ability to engage nearly every major muscle group. This simple exercise targets your obliques, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, shoulders, back, legs, and glutes simultaneously. By improving both core strength and functional fitness, planks enhance muscle endurance, assisting in routine tasks such as lifting and carrying.

Intrigued by the benefits of planks? It might be time to see how long you can hold one. Matt Kasee, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and the founder of Trilogy Fitness Systems, claims that if you can maintain a plank beyond a certain threshold at the age of 60, you’re ahead of 90% of your peers in core strength. Ready to see where you stand?

What Daily Tasks Can Become Easier When Someone Has Good Core Strength and Endurance?

Fitness woman doing plank exercise workout in gym indoors. Straight arm plank exercise to strengthen the cortex. Fitness, sports, healthy lifestyle.
Shutterstock

Kasee explains that your core is central to nearly all your movements, providing crucial stability for your spine and facilitating force transfer between the upper and lower body. With robust core strength, everyday actions—like carrying groceries, getting out of bed, climbing stairs, gardening, lifting objects, and reaching for items—become controlled and effortless.

“It also becomes important when you’re reacting to something unexpected. If you stumble, change direction quickly, or have to catch or stabilize yourself, your core helps you control your body,” Kasee tells us. “That’s why core training should be thought of as much more than developing visible abs. You’re building the ability to create and maintain stability while the rest of your body moves around it, and that becomes increasingly important as we age.”

This 8-Minute Standing Routine Builds More Core Strength Than 30 Minutes of Crunches After 50

What Plank Hold Benchmarks Reveal About Overall Fitness

If you’re able to hold a plank with perfect form for the prescribed time, this shows a solid baseline of core endurance and that you can maintain trunk control under load. However, it doesn’t mean you’re “universally fit,” Kasee stresses.

“A plank doesn’t measure cardiovascular fitness, lower-body strength, mobility, balance, power, or overall muscle mass. That’s why I wouldn’t use any single exercise as a complete assessment of someone’s fitness,” Kasee explains. “Think of the plank as one data point. If you can hold one with excellent form for 30 to 60 seconds, that’s a positive sign. But you still want to look at how well you move, how strong you are, how much endurance you have, and how capable you feel performing everyday activities.”

If You Can Hold These 4 Standing Positions After 55, Your Core Strength Is Elite

What Plank-Hold Time Is a Strong Benchmark for Someone Over 60?

Being able to hold a well-executed plank for approximately 30 to 60 seconds is a great benchmark to strive for. That said, the quality of the hold matters much more than the duration.

“A good plank means maintaining a neutral spine, keeping the hips from sagging or rising, creating tension through the core and glutes, and continuing to breathe normally,” Kasee says. “If someone’s form starts breaking down at 20 seconds, holding on for another 40 seconds isn’t necessarily providing additional benefit.”

This benchmark is useful because it reveals a reasonable level of core endurance and preserving trunk stability under tension.

“But the goal shouldn’t be to chase longer and longer plank times just for the sake of reaching a number,” Kasee adds.

The 3 Core Moves That Make You Feel Decades Younger After 50

How To Progress

Once you’re able to hold a plank with proper form within that 30 to 60-second benchmark, it doesn’t make sense to continue adding time. Kasee recommends revving up the challenge in other ways.

“You can progress to variations like shoulder taps, plank reaches, side planks, or exercises that introduce controlled movement while requiring the core to remain stable,” he shares. “You can also change leverage or add a small amount of resistance when appropriate. The goal is to make the core resist movement rather than simply seeing how long you can stay in one position. Think of the basic plank as foundational. Once you’ve demonstrated that you can create and maintain that stability, the next step is learning to maintain it while adding movement or additional resistance.”

Former Deputy Sean Grayson Dies in Prison, Just Months After Conviction for Sonya Massey’s Murder

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Former Deputy Sean Grayson Dies in Prison, Just Months After Conviction for Sonya Massey’s Murder

Sean Grayson, once an Illinois deputy sheriff and later convicted for the murder of Sonya Massey, has died while serving his prison sentence.

His attorney, Daniel L. Fultz, confirmed Grayson’s passing on August 23.

The former lawman, aged 32, had been battling Stage 3 colon cancer since 2023. At his sentencing hearing in January, his legal representatives sought leniency due to the disease progressing to stage 4 as it metastasized to his lungs and liver.

In May, four months later, Grayson requested an early medical release owing to the rapid advancement of his cancer, but his appeal was turned down.

“The presence of cancer doesn’t lessen his threat,” the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office stated in a letter from July, opposing his release. “He has merely begun serving his 20-year sentence for second-degree murder.”

The letter continued, “To release Grayson under these circumstances would be a miscarriage of justice and an insult to Sonya Massey’s memory and family.”  

What Happened to Sonya Massey?  

On July 6, 2024, Massey, a mom of two, called 911 after suspecting that someone was trying to break into her Springfield home.  

The day prior, Massey’s mother Donna Massey had called 911 to report that her daughter was experiencing a “mental breakdown” but did not pose a threat to herself or others, according to the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.  

When Grayson and fellow officer Dawson Farley responded to Massey’s 911 call, they found Massey, who removed a pot of boiling water from the stove. She told the officers, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” as seen in body camera footage published by the Associated Press.  

Both officers drew their guns as Grayson said, “You better f–king not or I swear to God I will shoot you right in the f–king face.”

Though Massey apologized and ducked behind the counter as the officers ordered her to drop the pot, Grayson fired three shots, striking Massey in the head.  

Grayson then told Farley not to help Massey, saying, “There is nothing we can do, man.”

Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and initially charged with first-degree murder.  

During his October trial, Grayson testified that he shot Massey in self-defense, fearing that she would throw the hot water on him.  

As for why he chose to use his gun, “I didn’t want to take the chance of the Taser malfunctioning,” he told the court. “The Taser doesn’t work on everybody.”

The prosecution, however, argued that Massey did not pose a threat.  

“He wants you to believe he was scared,” First Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers told the jury. “But you don’t have to believe that, because it’s not true.” 

Farley also testified that while he was never afraid of Massey, he was afraid of Grayson that night. 

Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder, a verdict Massey’s family publicly condemned. 

“Anyone who saw the video and thought it was partly Sonya’s fault is inhumane,” her mom told reporters, according to KSDK. “I can’t wait til he gets to hell.”

After news of Grayson’s death, Massey’s family attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci issued a statement. 

“Sonya Massey’s death was unjustifiable and she should be alive today. Sean Grayson’s death in custody from cancer does not bring Sonya back,” they said, according to Fox16. “We wish his family prayers of peace, as we do for all who grieve a loved one. Sonya’s family knows that pain all too well and will grieve her loss the rest of their days.”

A spokesperson from the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Oxygen. 

Former Deputy Sean Grayson Dies in Prison While Serving 20-Year Sentence for Sonya Massey Murder After Denied Medical Release

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Former Deputy Sean Grayson Dies in Prison While Serving 20-Year Sentence for Sonya Massey Murder After Denied Medical Release

Sean Grayson, a former sheriff’s deputy from Illinois, passed away this Sunday while serving a 20-year prison term for the tragic shooting of Sonya Massey in her residence. His attorney confirmed the news to News Media.

Daniel Fultz, Grayson’s lawyer, refrained from providing additional information regarding the circumstances of his client’s death.

Grayson had been fighting a battle with colon cancer even before the tragic event unfolded. During his sentencing, legal representatives disclosed that the cancer had metastasized to both his liver and lungs.

In a bid for early release, Grayson applied in May for medical clemency under an Illinois statute that allows inmates with grave illnesses to seek freedom. Unfortunately, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board turned down his request last month.

Sean Grayson booking photo

This booking photograph, provided by the Macon County Jail in Illinois in January 2025, depicts Sean Grayson, a one-time deputy with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department. Grayson was found guilty of murder following the shooting death of Sonya Massey on July 6, 2024, in Springfield, Illinois. (Macon County Jail via AP)

A jury convicted Grayson, 32, in October of second-degree murder in the 2024 shooting death of Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who had called 911 to report a possible prowler outside her Springfield-area home.

Body-camera video released after the July 6, 2024, shooting showed Massey ducking and apologizing moments before Grayson fired three shots inside the home. One struck her in the head.

Massey called police shortly before 1 a.m. to report what she believed was suspicious activity outside the home, about 200 miles southwest of Chicago. Grayson and another deputy walked around the property before speaking with Massey at the front door, where she told them, “Don’t hurt me.”

Body camera footage showed Sean Grayson point his department-issued firearm at Sonya Massey.

In this image taken from body camera video released by Illinois State Police on Monday, July 22, 2024, former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson, left, points his gun at Sonya Massey, who called 911 for help, before shooting and killing her inside her home in Springfield, Ill., July 6, 2024. (Illinois State Police via AP)

Inside, video shows Massey appearing confused as deputies questioned her and sought identification to complete a report. As they prepared to leave, Grayson noticed a pot heating on the stove.

“We don’t need a fire while we’re here,” he said.

Prosecutors said Grayson later ordered Massey to move the pot of hot water, threatened to shoot her and then opened fire after she briefly rose from a crouched position.

Sonya Massey, left, talks with former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson outside her home

In this image taken from body camera video released by Illinois State Police, Sonya Massey, left, talks with former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson outside her home in Springfield, Ill., July 6, 2024. (Illinois State Police via AP)

Grayson’s partner, Dawson Farley, later testified that he did not see Massey as a threat and drew his own gun only after Grayson did.

Grayson was fired after the shooting.

A grand jury initially indicted Grayson on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty before jurors convicted him of the lesser murder charge. A judge later imposed the maximum 20-year prison sentence.

Massey’s killing drew national attention, sparked demonstrations and raised questions about Grayson’s work for several law-enforcement agencies before the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office hired him.

Illinois later passed the Sonya Massey Act, requiring agencies to more closely review an applicant’s prior employment history before hiring an officer.

The Justice Department opened a civil-rights investigation and later reached an agreement with Sangamon County, the sheriff’s office and other local agencies to make changes to policing and emergency response. The agreement included expanded training for calls involving people with behavioral-health disabilities and the creation of a mobile crisis-response program.

Avoid This Common Breakfast Habit to Lower Your Health Risks by 29%

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Avoid This Common Breakfast Habit to Lower Your Health Risks by 29%

Breakfast holds the crown for the most crucial meal of the day, and with good reason.

From the heated discussions over the ultimate breakfast sandwich to the countless praises sung for oatmeal, there’s no end to the debate about the ideal morning meal, particularly when health benefits are considered.

But recent research suggests that longevity might be influenced not only by what you eat but also by the timing of your initial meal.

Plate of fried eggs and bacon on a wooden surface.

New research has found it’s not just what you eat for breakfast, but when you eat that can determine how long you live. Rawf8 – stock.adobe.com

While New Yorkers might be enamored with brunch, it could be wise to consider having that first meal of the day a bit earlier.

A comprehensive study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined more than 31,000 adults aged 40 and above, revealing that when you consume the first and last calories of your day may significantly impact your lifespan.

And those who ate their first meal later — after noon, specifically — had an increased risk of dying early from any cause by 29%.

Study participants were asked to record what they ate and when they ate it within a 24-hour period, with the time between the first and last meal known as the eating window.

A pattern emerged: The later the participants ate their first meal, the greater the risk.

An alarm clock sits on a wooden table while a man in the background eats cereal.

Adults over 40 who ate breakfast after noon had a 29% higher risk of early death than those who ate much earlier. Pixel-Shot – stock.adobe.com

Compared with eating breakfast between 7 and 8 a.m., a 10% higher risk of dying early from any cause was linked to those who ate breakfast between 8 and 10 a.m.

The difference rose to 19% for those who ate between 10 a.m. and noon.

And the risk of death from a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, followed a similar pattern.

Eating after noon was linked to a 46% higher risk of cardiovascular death compared with breaking a fast between 7 and 8 a.m.

Meanwhile, those aged 50 years or older who ate later also had a shorter life expectancy by nearly 2.5 years on average.

While the findings only show an association between a later start to eating and decreased longevity, they do add to the growing evidence that health may depend not just on what we eat, but also when.

Last year, a study from Mass General Brigham revealed that later breakfast times in later life were not only linked to a higher risk of early death, but also to depression, fatigue and oral health problems.

In fact, breakfast shifted later as health problems accumulated.

Other research has also shown that consistently eating later can negatively affect your 24-hour biological clock, leading to blood sugar spikes and higher levels of stress hormones.

“Later eating should be interpreted as a potential risk marker, and possibly a modifiable behavior, rather than definitive evidence of a direct causal effect,” senior author of the first study Zhilei Shan told ScienceAlert.

Several other factors also limited the study’s results, including the fact that researchers only looked at a single 24-hour eating window, sleep patterns, activity timing and more.

US Military Attacks Pacific Vessel, 2 Casualties Reported

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US Military Attacks Pacific Vessel, 2 Casualties Reported

In a relentless campaign that has now spanned nearly a year, U.S. military efforts to bomb vessels suspected of drug trafficking have resulted in a death toll surpassing 210, following over 60 strategic strikes conducted in the Pacific region.

WASHINGTON — U.S. forces have launched another strike on a vessel within the eastern Pacific Ocean, leading to the deaths of two individuals accused of engaging in drug trafficking. The Department of Defense revealed this development on Monday, marking the first such attack disclosed in nearly two months.

Targeting suspected drug trafficking operations, the yearlong U.S. bombing campaign has led to a death toll exceeding 210, after more than 60 strikes executed off the coasts of Latin America in both the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Southern Command announced via social media that their forces carried out a “lethal kinetic strike” on a discreet vessel navigating established narcotrafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific.

Consistent with previous military reports on strikes across the eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, the Pentagon has withheld evidence regarding the vessel’s alleged drug transport. This latest strike marks the first since the devastating back-to-back earthquakes on June 24, which claimed thousands of lives.

“We are committed to imposing total systemic friction on narco-terrorists — disrupting their operations, dismantling their leadership, and eliminating cartel terror across the region,” said Gen. Francis Donovan, who leads U.S. Southern Command.

The latest strike comes as the Trump administration pursues deals with allied nations to extend its offensive to land across multiple Latin American countries. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a visit to Panama that Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras had agreed to allow the U.S. to carry out joint military operations against criminal groups on their soil. Guatemala denied reaching such a deal.

Ecuador launched similar missions with the U.S. in March.

President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and fatal overdoses claiming American lives. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”

Critics have questioned the overall legality of the boat strikes, as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S. over land from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.

The strikes, which began in early September, have drawn intense scrutiny from some Democratic lawmakers and military legal scholars.

The Pentagon’s watchdog said in May that it plans to look into whether the U.S. military followed an established targeting framework when carrying out the strikes. However, the evaluation is focused specifically on what’s known as the six-phase Joint Targeting Cycle and not on the legality of the strikes, the inspector general’s office said.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Washington Post Must Reinstate Black Opinion Writer Dismissed After Charlie Kirk Tweet Controversy

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Washington Post Must Reinstate Black Opinion Writer Dismissed After Charlie Kirk Tweet Controversy

A significant decision by an arbitrator has mandated The Washington Post to rehire a Black opinion writer who was dismissed due to her social media comments regarding violent white men following the tragic death of Charlie Kirk last year.

In the decision handed down on Thursday, the arbitrator determined that The Washington Post lacked adequate grounds to terminate Karen Attiah, the sole Black journalist on the newspaper’s opinion desk at that time. Sarah Miller Espinosa, the arbitrator, has also instructed the Post to compensate Attiah with full back pay and restore any benefits she lost.

Charlie Kirk, recognized for his ascent from a conservative campus activist to a prominent podcaster and staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, was fatally shot on September 10 at an event held at Utah Valley University. He was 31 years old at the time.

Kirk’s notoriety largely centered around his establishment of Turning Point USA in 2012 and his controversial comments on matters of race, gender, and politics. He often criticized the Black Lives Matter movement on college campuses and derogatorily referred to George Floyd—a Black man whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police in 2020 ignited global protests—as a “scumbag.”

The aftermath of Kirk’s death saw a surge of polarized opinions about him, sparking intense debate. Individuals who expressed negative remarks about him publicly in the wake of his killing sometimes faced disciplinary actions or even job termination.

Attiah posted after Kirk’s killing

After Kirk’s killing, Attiah, the founding global opinion editor for the Post and the newspaper’s only Black female opinion writer, made several posts to her Bluesky account.

One post read: “Refusing to tear my clothes and smear ashes on my face in performative mourning for a white man that espoused violence is … not the same as violence.”

“If anything, the rush to coddle violent white men is self-protective — that we know they are not used to feeling vulnerable and mortal — and will react violently out of fear. And we will all suffer,” read another post.

Attiah was emailed a termination letter on Sept. 11, accusing her of “gross misconduct.”

“Your public comments on social media regarding the death of Charlie Kirk violate the Post’s social media policies, harm the integrity of our organization, and potentially endanger the physical safety of our staff,” the letter read.

But Espinosa found that the newspaper, in a June 4 hearing, failed to establish that Attiah “engaged in gross misconduct” and that the Post “did not have good and sufficient cause to terminate” her employment, which violated the collective bargaining agreement with the newspaper’s union.

“After wrongfully firing me last year, an independent arbitrator has ordered the @washingtonpost to reinstate me immediately, with back pay,” Attiah posted on Instagram on Monday. “It’s been a year-long fight, but this is a victory for journalists everywhere. More to come soon.”

Ruling welcomed as a landmark moment

The Democracy Defenders Fund, which, along with Washington-Baltimore News Guild, represented Attiah, said the ruling marks a landmark moment for press freedom, “confirming that corporate media institutions cannot use retaliatory discipline to silence journalists who address uncomfortable truths.”

The Post said in a statement that it respects the arbitration process, but declined further comment on the matter.

At the time, Attiah’s firing was among dozens of others across various professions stemming from comments about Kirk’s assassination, igniting a debate over First Amendment rights as Trump vowed retribution for remarks he considers disparaging.

The National Association of Black Journalists, the nation’s largest professional advocacy organization for journalists of color, added that Attiah’s firing had “raised an alarm about the erosion of Black voices across the media.”

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

Judge Accuses Trump Administration of Fabricating Mail-In Ballot Crisis Under Closed Courts, Demands Swift Explanation

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Judge Accuses Trump Administration of Fabricating Mail-In Ballot Crisis Under Closed Courts, Demands Swift Explanation

Main: President Donald Trump strides from Marine One to Air Force One at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland on August 11, 2026 (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein). Right inset: U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani is seen at her nomination hearing on January 8, 2014 (Senate Judiciary Committee).

As the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over a pivotal challenge to a Massachusetts federal judge’s decision, that same judge addressed the Trump administration’s alleged disregard of a crucial injunction, insisting on a prompt explanation.

The Department of Justice informed U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in a notice submitted last Friday, after the courts had closed, that the USPS had forwarded a “final rule” to the Office of the Federal Register for publication on “August 26, 2026,” with it becoming effective from “August 21, 2026.”

The notice did recognize Talwani’s injunctions in the State of California v. Trump and League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump cases. However, the DOJ clarified that the final rule would “affirm that the Postal Service will not enact this rule for any election before or on November 3, 2026, unless the government secures relief from both orders.”

Appointed by Barack Obama, Judge Talwani has consistently ruled that Section 3 of President Donald Trump’s executive order 14399 was an unconstitutional mandate for the USPS to “deny mail ballot transmissions to certain voters,” warning it posed a federal overreach that jeopardized the fundamental right to vote.

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 decision recognized that the president “direct[ed] unprecedented levels of involvement by federal officials in how states administer elections,” and left that injunction in place — teeing up an ongoing Supreme Court fight between blue states and the federal government.

After Talwani recently sided with the League of Women Voters by applying her injunction nationwide, the DOJ told the Supreme Court that her “erroneous” orders needed to stop. It wouldn’t be the last brief from the DOJ on the subject.

Over the weekend, the League of Women Voters filed an emergency motion to enforce the injunction, claiming that the USPS “flouted that order by sending for publication a final rule with immediate effect (the Rule or Final Rule) in violation of the injunction’s prohibition on implementing Section 3[.]”

“Defendants easily could comply with the injunction and still take steps for future implementation by issuing a final rule now but with an effective date after the November 2026 election. They did not do so,” said a memorandum from attorneys with the ACLU, pleading with the judge to see that time is of the essence.

In response on Sunday, Talwani set a deadline for the government to respond of “no later than 8:00 a.m.” on Tuesday, when the plaintiffs themselves had asked for a “by 11:59 p.m.” deadline.

The judge dismissed the DOJ’s complaints about the quick turnaround to respond to the “remarkable accusation that the United States is violating a court order.” Talwani said the government “creat[ed] the emergency” after courts closed and when everyone else was ready for the weekend.

“Defendants now oppose that request, asserting that their action will have no effect on the rules themselves while the injunctions are in place, while ignoring the confusion that the publication will engender. Defendants also oppose the expedited briefing scheduling, objecting to ‘only two business days to respond,’ despite USPS creating the emergency by issuing a rule on a Friday evening after the courts were closed,” Talwani said.

The judge contemplated giving the DOJ the deadline it sought — Thursday before midnight — but noted that would only fly “with entry of a Temporary Restraining Order staying publication [Wednesday] of the Final Rule.”

“If Defendants seek the August 27, 2026 filing date they shall promptly advise the court such that such a TRO may enter,” Talwani said.

The weekend docket activity prompted the DOJ to complain one more time at the Supreme Court on Monday, in a supplemental brief bashing Talwani for making an “assumption” about what the “final rule” would dictate regarding mail-in ballots.

“And contrary to the district court’s assumption, the published final rule does not simply mirror the proposals outlined in Section 3 of Executive Order 14,399. For example, the Postal Service will not refuse to transmit ballots from individuals who were not included on a state-submitted list, as Section 3(b)(iii) of the Order contemplated,” U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer represented.

The states have maintained that the “dangers of altering election rules on the eve of an election” are widespread confusion and, ultimately, the “intolerable risk” of “disenfranchising a substantial number of voters” in the upcoming midterm elections.

The post Judge notices Trump admin ‘creating’ a mail-in ballot ’emergency’ after ‘courts were closed,’ demands immediate answers first appeared on Law & Crime.
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