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Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding Marry in New York After 12 Years Together

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Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding are married, 12 years after their first meeting at a Melbourne café, where Rebecca was working as a waitress.

The 45-year-old comedian and 36-year-old model exchanged vows in New York City on Tuesday, with several famous friends joining them for the celebration.

Rebecca looked stunning in an elegant white strapless gown, believed to have been created by an Australian designer, as she left The Bowery Hotel in Lower Manhattan. She was accompanied by assistants carrying umbrellas and her stylist, Elliot Garnaut.

Her gown featured a dramatic train and structured bodice, while delicate diamond earrings and her engagement ring completed the look.

The brunette wore her hair in a romantic half-up, half-down style and opted for minimal makeup to highlight her natural features.

Guests included Andy’s best friend and co-star Hamish Blake, Hamish’s wife and beauty entrepreneur Zoë Foster Blake, Nova radio host Lauren Phillips and her fiancé, aviation tycoon Paul O’Brien. Celebrity stylist Garnaut, who is also the new KIIS FM breakfast host, was in attendance as well.

Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding have finally tied the knot, 12 years after first meeting at a Melbourne café where she was working as a waitress

Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding are married, 12 years after first meeting at a Melbourne café where Rebecca was working as a waitress

The comedian, 45, and the model, 36, exchanged vows during a ceremony in New York City on Tuesday, surrounded by some of their famous friends. They are pictured here returning from a pre-wedding celebration in Manhattan on Monday night

The 45-year-old comedian and 36-year-old model exchanged vows in New York City on Tuesday after celebrating with friends in Manhattan the night before

Andy was supported by three groomsmen: Lego Masters host Hamish Blake, one of his brothers and his best friend, Michael Horgan.

The couple arrived in the Big Apple over the weekend ahead of their wedding celebrations.

They travelled to the United States in first class, accompanied on the flight by two of Andy’s groomsmen.

On Monday evening, Andy and Rebecca appeared to host a pre-wedding celebration for friends in Manhattan.

The couple were seen walking through New York dressed in outfits inspired by their upcoming wedding.

Rebecca paired a fitted cream coat with a matching mini dress, while Andy looked smart in a beige suit.

Their love story began in 2014, when Andy met Rebecca at a Melbourne café and famously wrote his email address on a napkin for her.

Rebecca eventually contacted him, and they went on their first date the following day.

Rebecca, 36, looked absolutely breathtaking in a stylish white strapless gown, thought to be by an Australian designer, as she left The Bowery hotel in Lower Manhattan for the ceremony, flanked by assistants with umbrellas and her stylist, Elliot Garnaut

Rebecca, 36, looked stunning in a white strapless gown, believed to be by an Australian designer, as she left The Bowery Hotel in Lower Manhattan with assistants carrying umbrellas and her stylist, Elliot Garnaut

Although they briefly separated early in their relationship, Andy and Rebecca reunited and have been together ever since.

Andy proposed in 2024, after 10 years of dating. Rebecca later admitted that the proposal genuinely surprised her, despite the length of their relationship.

The comedian announced their engagement during an episode of his Hamish and Andy podcast.

Speaking with his podcast co-host Hamish Blake, Andy shared intimate details of his proposal, before inviting his fiancée on the show.

‘I asked Bec to marry me on Sunday,’ Andy announced.

Hamish said he was overjoyed and that he and his wife Zoë were both ‘crying’ with happiness over the news.

‘Is it a bit quick? That’s all I wanna ask,’ he also joked.

Rebecca also showed off the stunning diamond engagement ring on Instagram.

The dress featured a dramatic long train and a structured bodice, and she accessorised with a pair of dainty diamond earrings and, of course, her engagement ring

The dress featured a dramatic long train and a structured bodice, and she accessorised with a pair of dainty diamond earrings and, of course, her engagement ring 

‘People keep saying we’ve rushed into this but we don’t care what people say!’ she captioned her post. 

Andy and Rebecca, who are currently undertaking a $5 million renovation project after buying a historic mansion in Melbourne’s east, went to their ‘new old house’ under the guise they needed to film videos for social media ahead of starting the build.

Pretending to get something out of the marble fireplace, Andy was on one knee when he produced a napkin – which symbolised how they met.

Rebecca and Andy went public with their relationship at the 2015 Australian Open.

In 2022, the couple confirmed they had briefly split for six months in 2016 after Rebecca felt ‘immense pressure’ dating someone in the public eye.

However, they soon realised they were meant to be during their time apart.

For years, the rumour mill spun with speculation about the pair getting engaged.

In February 2024, Andy was forced to assure The Hundred viewers he hadn’t secretly married his long-time sweetheart.

Andy popped the question after 10 years of dating in 2024, and Rebecca admitted she was genuinely shocked by the proposal, despite how long they had been together

Andy popped the question after 10 years of dating in 2024, and Rebecca admitted she was genuinely shocked by the proposal, despite how long they had been together 

Andy made the announcement as he was responding to a joke from co-star Tom Gleeson, who brought up his well-publicised love life. 

‘Andy has got something to announce, he’s just eloped!’ Tom said.

‘Stick around till the end of the show, if that’s the case… It’s not the case,’ Andy hit back.

In 2019, radio host Fifi Box questioned their marital status after the station received an email from a publicist referring to the couple as ‘Andy and his fiancée Bec’.

A month earlier, then-Today show host Georgie Gardner had also tried to get a definitive answer on where the couple were in their personal life.

‘Gosh, Andy. She is wife material. Just saying, she is wife material,’ she told Andy, who was a guest on the program.

He replied: ‘Has my mum been texting you? What the hell is going on?’

Engagement rumours were sparked again in 2020 when Andy posted a photo of Rebecca hiding her left hand while celebrating her 30th birthday.

‘Is there a ring she’s hiding with her left sleeve?’ one eagle-eyed follower wrote, keen to see if the pair were about to share exciting news.

The happy couple plan to split their time between Melbourne and New York, where Andy part-owns an Australian pub called Old Mates. 

U.S. Olympian’s California Home Swallowed by the Ocean

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Paris Porter, a hopeful Team USA sailor targeting the 2028 Olympics, has been left heartbroken after Tropical Storm Rachel destroyed the California home she shared with her husband.

The 30-year-old athlete posted emotional footage online showing powerful waves tearing into the Long Beach Peninsula property, eventually causing the house to collapse beneath the storm-driven surf.

“You know that house you constantly see half-crumbled in the news, drone shots and viral posts of the Long Beach Peninsula? Well, that was our home,” Porter wrote.

She added: “Three hurricane swells in six weeks in Southern California? Unheard of…”

Melanie Miller, a spokesperson for the Long Beach Fire Department, told the California Post that the damage began with Hurricane Marie in September and worsened over time.

“Then Hurricane Polo, now Rachel. It’s been continuous damage since then,” Miller said.

Porter said losing the rental home she shared with RJ Porter—and watching neighboring properties suffer as well—had been devastating for the entire community.

“RJ and I started our life here. We went from engaged to married. We had family three blocks away. We made it a tradition to have Wednesday night dinners with family and friends every week. We watched numerous sunsets and had the view of a lifetime out those windows,” she said.

Paris Porter, a 30-year-old hoping to sail in the upcoming Olympic games, shared a heartbreaking video on social media, revealing that her home had collapsed under the fierce ocean waters whipped up by the storm

Paris Porter, 30, is pursuing a place on the U.S. sailing team for the 2028 Olympic Games and shared emotional video of her California home collapsing beneath the storm-fueled waves.

Porter went on to say that the destruction of her home, pictured above which she rented with her husband RJ Porter, as well as those around her 'breaks our hearts'

Porter said the destruction of the home she rented with her husband, RJ Porter, along with the damage to nearby properties, “breaks our hearts.”

Porter, who's brother is also a professional sailor, previously competed in the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro and has her sights on the 2028 Olympic games

Porter, whose brother is also a professional sailor, competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and is now aiming for the 2028 Olympics.

The couple shared that they had secured temporary housing for the next eight months 'as we try and figure out what's next'

The couple said they had found temporary accommodation for the next eight months “as we try and figure out what’s next.”

“To see three storms undo a place that brought so much peace is devastating, especially knowing how deeply it impacts our neighbors who lost so much more. The peninsula will always hold a special place in our hearts,” Porter wrote.

Porter and her husband said they have arranged temporary housing for eight months while they determine their next steps.

Porter, whose brother is also a professional sailor, represented the United States at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and won a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games.

Over the weekend, Storm Rachel battered Southern California with heavy rain, fierce winds and enormous waves, leaving Long Beach’s century-old boardwalk severely damaged.

Video recorded Friday night showed towering swells slamming into a home in the 6500 block of Seaside Walk. The water rose as high as the second-floor windows while pieces of the building and shattered boardwalk sections were swept out to sea.

Additional images captured floodwater spreading across nearby streets and patios before rushing into homes and damaging surrounding properties.

“It is not normal that we see this type of activity,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said Saturday.

“Just in this season, this marks the third hurricane in just six weeks. We saw Hurricane Marie over Labor Day, which was followed soon by Hurricane Polo, and now Rachel is bringing with it more high tides, more surf, erosion that continues to cause damage to properties and damage along our coastline.”

Chilling footage on Friday night showed towering swells crashing against a home in the 6500 block of Seaside Walk, reaching its second-story windows as sections of the building and broken pieces of boardwalk drifted into the ocean

Chilling footage on Friday night showed towering swells crashing against a home in the 6500 block of Seaside Walk, reaching its second-story windows as sections of the building and broken pieces of boardwalk drifted into the ocean

Local officials distributed 7,600 sandbags in hopes of helping residents protect their properties

Local officials distributed 7,600 sandbags in hopes of helping residents protect their properties

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning on Friday afternoon for Los Angeles County beaches until Sunday, as forecasters expected waves of four to seven feet

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning on Friday afternoon for Los Angeles County beaches until Sunday, as forecasters expected waves of four to seven feet

‘This is easily the most damage I have seen over the past couple of weeks,’ said KTLA’s Rich Prickett, whose crew captured the destruction from a helicopter overhead.

‘Now the entire boardwalk is just starting to shred away, and now some of these homes are being impacted even more severely,’ he added.

‘As you’re seeing this house right here that’s starting to crumble as that erosion just continues underneath the house.’

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning on Friday afternoon for Los Angeles County beaches until 3pm on Sunday, as forecasters expected waves reaching four to seven feet. 

‘It’s really heartbreaking to see how much has been affected with the surf and the high tides and everything. I mean, people are losing their houses,’ Stacey Sniezak, Long Beach neighbor, told ABC 7. 

Local officials distributed 7,600 sandbags in hopes of helping residents protect their properties. 

Miller added, however, that ‘you can only do so much during low tide.’

‘There are limited windows of opportunity, and the dynamics are working against you,’ she said. 

Mayor Rex Richardson said the city was taking the situation 'very seriously,' adding that it emphasized 'an importance to be incredibly serious in our region and in our state around climate resilience and coastal resiliency'

Mayor Rex Richardson said the city was taking the situation ‘very seriously,’ adding that it emphasized ‘an importance to be incredibly serious in our region and in our state around climate resilience and coastal resiliency’

Over the weekend, Storm Rachel rained down on Southern California and left Long Beach's century-old boardwalk battered by blistering winds and towering waves

Over the weekend, Storm Rachel rained down on Southern California and left Long Beach’s century-old boardwalk battered by blistering winds and towering waves

Join the discussion

How should coastal communities balance cherished homes with the growing risks of severe storms and erosion?

‘We’re looking at an unprecedented high tide, potentially 7.8 to 8 feet, which is significant for this area,’ Long Beach Fire Department Assistant Chief Jake Heflin said.

‘We’re not just talking about the peninsula, we’re not talking just about Naples, we’re talking about the potential for a citywide impact.’

Mayor Richardson said the city was taking the situation ‘very seriously,’ adding that it emphasized ‘an importance to be incredibly serious in our region and in our state around climate resilience and coastal resiliency.’

The Daily Mail reached out to Porter for comment.  

Travis Kelce’s Instagram Behavior Sparks Frenzy Among Swift Fans

Travis Kelce is facing criticism from Taylor Swift fans after appearing to endorse a controversial “Saturday Night Live” monologue by comedian Shane Gillis. The routine included a sexist joke about women wearing revealing workout clothes at the gym. Kelce, who is friendly with Gillis, drew backlash this week when screenshots circulated showing that he had liked an Instagram post featuring the viral monologue. A source close to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end said Kelce never intended to offend anyone.

“I haven’t been to the gym in so long, I didn’t know women just dress like wh**es now. Look, I’m sorry, there’s no other way to describe [it],” Gillis, who was fired from “SNL” over racist and homophobic slurs, joked during his opening remarks (via YouTube). He went on to describe neon workout shorts as “artificial bait-colored,” adding that “the wrinkles go around the cheeks and all combine at the butt***e.” Gillis then complained about being unable to look at the women because he was being filmed. “For real, don’t look, because they are filming. I’m in the background of 10 TikToks right now,” he said.

On X, disgusted Swifties called Kelce out for supporting Gillis’ sexist remarks, with one claiming, “Travis IS Gillis’ audience.” Another sadly lamented, “That man continues embarrassing [Taylor],” while a third Swiftie confessed that they weren’t surprised by the NFL star’s behavior, considering, “A lot of his tweets [resurfaced] since he started dating [her] […] They just ignored it.” However, a friend of the football player told Page Six that Kelce didn’t mean to cause any harm by liking the video, clarifying, “He’s always been a massive fan of the show and he was supporting a friend.”

Fans questioned Kelce being friends with Gillis in the first place

As the backlash grew, old clips of Gillis mocking Taylor Swift also resurfaced, prompting fans to question why Kelce remains friends with the comedian. Gillis, a prominent Philadelphia Eagles supporter, recalled Swift being booed at the 2025 Super Bowl during an appearance on “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast,” saying, “That was, I’ll be honest, I was in the Eagles section for that. That was a fun boo. […] I thought it was very funny.” On “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Gillis also discussed his dislike of seeing Swift on screen, saying, “I can’t even watch it anymore cuz it cuts to her once or twice. And every time I see her, I go, ‘Motherf***er,’” (via YouTube).

As one user on X wrote, “I stand by my stance that Travis Kelce is not as good of a dude as people made me believe. Sorry not sorry but Taylor can do so much better than him.” Unfortunately, the “Cleveland!” hitmaker is also being dragged, with users digging up an old tweet in which Swift called out “Ginny & Georgia” and Netflix for making a sexist joke about her dating history. As of this writing, Kelce has remained mum, though it appears he may have unliked the post.

Meanwhile, celebrities such as “Schitt’s Creek” star Dan Levy have made their feelings about Gillis’ monologue crystal clear. “I’ve seen more men’s nipples at the gym than I’ve ever seen women showing their bodies off,” Levy argued on Instagram. “I’m speechless that something like that can exist on live national television. […] This is a not a women’s issue, this is an everybody issue.” 

After Run-In, Former Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz Challenges NYC First Lady Rama Duwaji

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Former Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz is giving New York City first lady Rama Duwaji another chance to meet over coffee after their tense Brooklyn encounter went viral in May—and she’s offering to pick up the tab.

Shiraz publicly challenged Duwaji, the wife of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, to sit down again after the two unexpectedly crossed paths at a Brooklyn cafe.

This time, Shiraz said, she is prepared to address difficult subjects, including Duwaji’s outspoken pro-Palestinian views and criticism of Israel.

“Last time I was here, you guys might remember, so-called Mayor Mamdani’s wife wasn’t particularly interested in having a conversation with me,” Shiraz said in an Instagram video posted Tuesday. “Since I’m all about building bridges, I thought I’d extend a personal invitation—Rama, coffee is on me.”

“We can talk about Israel, the Middle East, whatever you’d like,” she continued while walking through New York City. “Actually, that invitation goes out to anyone who has a problem with me or what I stand for. I promise I don’t bite, but I may ask questions you might not like answering.”

Shiraz told The Post that she wanted to give Duwaji “another chance to do the right thing.”

“Apparently, talking about Israelis is much easier than listening to one,” she added.

The beauty queen said she would ask Duwaji to explain, in person, how she reconciles her public views and associations with accounts from people who survived Hamas’ atrocities.

Duwaji has faced scrutiny over what critics describe as anti-Israel sentiment. Controversy intensified after old social media posts resurfaced, including one in which she wrote that Tel Aviv “shouldn’t exist in the first place.”

Shiraz said she believes Duwaji and her husband “have made the city with the largest Jewish population outside Israel feel more antisemitic and dangerous for Jews.”

“So congratulations,” she added sarcastically. “Quite an achievement.”

Mamdani has described his wife as “a private person who has held no formal position on my campaign or in my City Hall.”

The Miss Israel organization cut ties with Shiraz, the 2025-2026 titleholder, this summer after she alleged that the pageant had been rigged. Shiraz studied at UC Berkeley and worked in Silicon Valley’s technology sector before moving back to Tel Aviv.

The 27-year-old previously told The Post in May that Duwaji “brushed me off” after learning she was Israeli. Shiraz said their brief interaction initially seemed friendly, as she began recording a selfie video with Duwaji.

Duwaji, who has also faced criticism over reports that she once liked posts celebrating the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist massacre in Israel, initially smiled at the camera. She then appeared to move out of the frame while saying something to Shiraz.

Shiraz said Duwaji’s “tone changed” as soon as she identified herself and that Duwaji “couldn’t allow herself to engage with me.”

Earlier this year, Shiraz made headlines after confronting what she called “hateful” agitators at Stanford University, where a protester also grabbed one of her signs.

Shiraz said she has continued traveling across the United States since then.

A spokesperson for the mayor did not respond to a request for comment.

Sen. Raphael Warnock Accuses Trump of Unleashing “Wickedness”

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Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) said Tuesday on MSNBC’s “All In” that President Donald Trump “has unleashed a kind of wickedness into the ether.”

Host Chris Hayes asked Warnock about the pope’s ministry following news that the pontiff had undergone surgery to remove a cancerous lobe from his lower right lung. Hayes noted that Warnock, the senior pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, had preached there for decades and said he wanted to discuss the pope’s broader role in the nation’s moral and spiritual life, as well as his influence around the world since becoming pope.

Warnock said the pope’s voice was especially important during what he described as a pivotal moral moment in the United States. He argued that Trump, whom he called “the most gifted politician I’ve ever seen at dividing us,” had brought “a kind of wickedness into the ether,” making the presence of an American pope particularly significant. Warnock praised Pope Leo for urging people toward “the higher angels of our nature” and challenging what he called a “war mongering president.” He said the pope’s criticism had drawn pushback from Vice President JD Vance, whom Warnock described as perhaps the most prominent and well-known Catholic in politics. Warnock also asked viewers to pray for the pope’s strength and recovery, as well as for the health of the country.

Follow Pam Key on X @pamkeyNEN

Ukraine Accuses the U.S. of Helping Russia’s Ongoing War Effort

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Ukraine has accused the United States of aiding Russia’s war effort after Starlink services were reportedly “throttled” overnight, while Kyiv received no advance warning of incoming Russian missiles.

Ukrainian officials said the restrictions disrupted drone operations near the front line early Wednesday. They also said Western partners had failed for a second consecutive day to alert Kyiv to an impending Russian attack on the country’s energy infrastructure.

“There have already been two cases where the Americans did not provide warnings about Russian ballistic launches, a massive ballistic attack against our energy sector… And on top of that they’ve throttled Starlink speeds,” a senior Ukrainian official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

SpaceX imposed restrictions on some Starlink services in Ukraine, disrupting military drone missions that depend heavily on the satellite internet network, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.

The Starlink terminals operated by Elon Musk’s company are essential to Ukraine’s longer-range drone strikes in Russian-occupied areas of the south and east. Those attacks have inflicted significant damage on Russian supply and logistics networks.

“Our defense forces did not receive a warning about this limitation, and this led to the disruption of several missions,” presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said in a post on Telegram.

Beskrestnov said SpaceX had halted the military-grade service when drones were traveling faster than 100 miles per hour, or 160 kilometers per hour.

Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps, which is deployed in the southeast, said the restrictions had forced some units to abandon planned missions.

“According to our observations, during flights, the connection could drop for 10–20 seconds at speeds of just 110–120 km/h. The drones kept moving, but these interruptions made them harder to control,” the corps said in a statement to Reuters.

A Ukrainian defense ministry source said the limitations were significantly complicating logistics as well as certain drone operations.

 

A woman receives assistance after being injured in a Russian strike on a residential apartment building in Kyiv during the early hours of October 14

A rescue worker attends to a fire at a multi-story residential building damaged in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv on October 13

A rescue worker tackles a fire at a multi-storey residential building in Kyiv damaged by a Russian missile strike on October 13

In the aftermath of a Russian missile strike, local residents stand at a safe distance from a damaged apartment building in Kyiv on October 14

Residents keep a safe distance from an apartment building damaged by a Russian missile strike in Kyiv on October 14

SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment made outside normal US business hours.

The allegations followed heavy overnight Russian strikes that killed at least six people in Ukraine and left large parts of Kyiv without power, as Vladimir Putin continued to disregard Donald Trump’s proposed “energy ceasefire”.

The accusations emerged as Russian attacks overnight killed at least six people across Ukraine and cut electricity to extensive areas of Kyiv. The strikes came as Vladimir Putin continued to ignore Donald Trump’s proposed “energy ceasefire”.

Ukraine depends heavily on intelligence from Western allies to track incoming Russian attacks and help locate targets. However, renewed tensions with US President Donald Trump have raised questions about the future of those arrangements.

In Kyiv, a Russian strike on a multi-storey apartment building in the Desnianskyi district killed two people. Another attack in the Holosiivsky district claimed one life.

Russian strikes in the Dnipropetrovsk region killed two people and injured six others, while one person was killed in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

AFP reporters in Kyiv heard multiple explosions overnight and said electricity and water supplies had been cut in the city’s eastern districts.

‘Energy facilities in Kyiv and the surrounding region have come under a massive ballistic missile strike. There are power disruptions in the capital,’ Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram, urging people to remain in shelters.

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy provider, said on Telegram that the attack caused emergency power cuts in the Darnytskyi, Dniprovskyi, Pecherskyi and Solomianskyi districts, as well as in part of the Holosiivsky district.

Further Russian ballistic missile attacks were reported in Kharkiv and Zhytomyr regions, and other strikes hit Sumy and Chernihiv.

The governor of Russia’s Saratov region, citing preliminary estimates, said a Ukrainian drone strike had killed one person in the city of Balakovo.

Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin said air defence forces had downed nearly 500 drones flying towards the Russian capital overnight.

Russian authorities said around 160 more were brought down over the Rostov region, while others targeted Moscow.

Earlier, Zelensky said a Russian strike on a Kyiv power facility on Tuesday evening had come without Ukraine receiving advance warning from its Western allies.

‘A Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv. Once again, no early warning from our partners,’ he wrote on Facebook.

‘The main target was energy infrastructure, specifically the CHP-4. Unfortunately, it was hit.’

Join the discussion

What do you make of Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine despite Donald Trump’s announcement of an ‘energy ceasefire’?

 

A man with a head wound who survived a Russian ballistic missile attack on a residential building  in Kyiv’s Desnianskyi district on October 14

A dazed Victoria Deineko holds on tightly to her daughter Mia as rescue workers attempt to control a fire at a multi-story residential block hit by Russian missiles in Kyiv on October 13

A dazed Victoria Deineko holds on tightly to her daughter Mia as rescue workers attempt to control a fire at a multi-story residential block hit by Russian missiles in Kyiv on October 13

A fire rages through an apartment building in Kyiv after a Russian missile strike on October 13

A fire rages through an apartment building in Kyiv after a Russian missile strike on October 13

Ukrainian medics and policemen carry an injured resident from the site of a Russian missile strike on a block of flats in Kyiv on October 14

Ukrainian medics and policemen carry an injured resident from the site of a Russian missile strike on a block of flats in Kyiv on October 14

Zelensky said Ukraine’s systems picked up the missiles only as they were nearing the city.

‘This is absolutely unjust: when they are destroying our infrastructure, and Ukraine is not even receiving early warnings about ballistic missile launches,’ he added.

Kyiv, which is home to some three million people, has come under increasing attack from Russian drones and missiles, with energy infrastructure a key target.

Overnight from Monday to Tuesday, Kyiv residents heard explosions from Russian strikes before even air raid sirens sounded, something that rarely happens.

Ukrainian officials attributed the issue to the Russian military’s use of hard-to-detect missiles or potential technical issues.

Trump announced an ‘energy ceasefire’ on his Truth Social network on Sunday, saying Russia and Ukraine had agreed to end their punishing long-range strikes on power infrastructure.

Zelensky voiced surprise at the news and said later strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure were President Putin’s ‘answer’ to Trump’s claim.

Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Zelensky for strikes on Russian oil refineries and on Saturday suggested it was ‘time for Ukraine to get a new president’.

The American leader has faced criticism from Zelensky, and a political backlash at home, for announcing plans last week to buy diesel from Russia despite wartime sanctions on Moscow.

In a statement on X, the Ukrainian leader accused Putin of disrespecting the Trump administration by flagrantly ignoring the ‘energy ceasefire’.

‘Overnight, the Russians used 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions against our energy and critical infrastructure in Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and Kharkiv,’ he wrote.

‘A targeted Russian ballistic missile strike specifically against energy infrastructure – the very infrastructure covered by the ceasefire announced by the American President.

‘The strike was entirely deliberate and demonstrative in its scale – Russia has never before shown such ostentatious disrespect toward the United States.

‘Russia does not consider the American President’s statements strong.’

He said at least 600,000 people were without power and warned that outages could become even more widespread.

He added that at least 26 power facilities and four in the oil and gas sector had been significantly damaged.

Infrastructure belonging to Ukraine’s state railway was also targeted.

‘The American President has all the effective and necessary tools to bring peace closer through strength, justice, and pressure on the aggressor,’ Zelensky continued.

‘We ask for additional packages of Patriot missile interceptors for Ukraine.

‘It is entirely fair for us to tell the United States, Europe, and all our partners that no country in the world should be left alone to face such a deranged and pro-war actor as Russia.’

This is a breaking news story. More to follow. 

Axed British Cycling golden boy accused of having a ‘God complex’

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British cycling star Matthew Richardson has been accused of developing a “God complex” after being withdrawn from the Great Britain team amid allegations that he used racist and discriminatory language.

Richardson, 27, was sent home from the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Championships on Monday while an investigation into his conduct continues. His 23-year-old girlfriend, Emma Finucane, remains in Shanghai and secured victory in qualifying for the women’s team sprint on Wednesday morning.

According to The Times, Richardson has been accused of using racist and discriminatory language towards others, including the n-word. The newspaper also reported that riders within the World Class Programme had described him as “arrogant” and said he displayed a “God complex”.

“At the velodrome he’s the golden boy,” riders were quoted as saying. “Matty is one of their best chances of a gold medal in LA and he knows it.”

British Cycling is understood to have opened an investigation after receiving a formal complaint.

The Olympic medallist addressed the situation on Instagram on Tuesday, saying he was “deeply disappointed” and would co-operate fully with Team GB. Richardson joined the British programme after previously representing Australia.

Matthew Richardson (right) is not competing at the World Championships amid the ongoing misconduct probe but his girlfriend Emma Finucane (left) remains

Matthew Richardson (right) is absent from the World Championships while the misconduct investigation continues, but his girlfriend Emma Finucane (left) remains in competition

He wrote: “I understand the seriousness of what has been raised in recent reports about my withdrawal from the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.

“British Cycling has said it looks into matters like this through its established procedures. I will co-operate fully with its processes. I assure everyone that I will do so properly and appropriately, with contrition for the feelings of anyone who might be affected.

“Out of fairness to everyone involved, and on advice, like British Cycling, I will not be commenting further until any process is complete. I am deeply disappointed to miss the World Championships, and I wish the Great Britain team and every rider competing the very best.”

Richardson’s withdrawal has sent shockwaves through the cycling world. Meanwhile, Finucane’s parents arrived in Shanghai on Monday ahead of the championships.

Her 21-year-old brother Sean told the Daily Mail that the family had reacted with “shock and surprise” to the allegations.

He said: “We are all pretty shocked and surprised – he’s a lovely guy. He’s been here a lot and never shown any signs of that sort of behaviour. My parents flew out to Shanghai yesterday – none of us knew.”

Finucane, who won four gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, is scheduled to compete in the individual sprint, team sprint and keirin during her time in China.

In a statement sent to Daily Mail Sport, a British Cycling spokesman said: “British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the upcoming 2026 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China.”

Richardson has been described as having a 'God complex' and being 'arrogant'

Richardson has been described by fellow riders as “arrogant” and as having a “God complex”

Richardson's partner is fellow British cyclist Emma Finucane, who welcomed her parents out in China amid the storm engulfing her boyfriend

Richardson’s partner is fellow British cyclist Emma Finucane, whose parents travelled to China as the allegations surrounding him emerged

When contacted by Daily Mail Sport about the misconduct allegations believed to have led to Richardson’s withdrawal, British Cycling said it would not comment further at this stage.

Richardson and Finucane live together in Manchester and have been in a relationship since February 2024, having “known each other for a long time” beforehand.

Richardson had been expected to form part of the four-man men’s sprint squad at the World Championships.

He had been due to join Harry Ledingham-Horn, Ed Lowe and Joe Truman in the squad.

Richardson had claimed three medals at the European Championships in Konya, Turkey, earlier this year.

The 27-year-old won gold in both the men’s sprint and keirin events, as well as claiming silver in the team sprint with Truman and Hamish Turnbull.

Richardson had been due to make his comeback after he was injured during the Keirin World Series in July.

Richardson is pictured with Finucane - the couple live together in Manchester

Richardson is pictured with Finucane – the couple live together in Manchester 

Last week, Richardson said he is ‘lucky’ to be walking after being wiped out by a rival in an incident, which ruled him out of the Commonwealth Games three months ago.

Richardson had been slammed off the track by Japanese cyclist Kento Suzuki while competing in the event in July, leaving the velodrome in an ambulance.

The sprinter said he has not received an apology from Suzuki over the incident. 

He was favourite to win gold in Glasgow but never got to take part after the horrifying crash. He was unable to walk for four days after coming away with a broken scapula and a heavily bruised hip.

Richardson had been hoping to defend the title he won when competing for Australia in 2022, before he switched nationality to represent Britain, which he claimed was like ‘Hogwarts’ compared to ‘High School’.

The defector, who was born in the English town of Maidstone but moved to Perth at nine and went on to carve out a brilliant track career for Australia, caused a sensation by switching allegiance straight after winning two silvers and a bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He received a life ban from competing for Australia.

Ana Navarro Slams Melania Trump in “Soviet Union” Attack

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Ana Navarro took aim at Donald Trump’s attack on left-wing Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, drawing a comparison between Omar’s immigration story and the backgrounds of two of Trump’s wives.

Navarro, a prominent Republican critic of Trump who has been a regular presence on the show since 2022, was responding to Trump’s claim that Omar came from a country “without laws, without police, without military” while invoking her constitutional rights.

Moderator Whoopi Goldberg responded with a pointed joke: “Well, somebody’s gotta tell us what’s in the Constitution because you sure don’t seem to know.”

Navarro then fired back: “Talking about people coming from countries without Constitutions, didn’t at least two of his wives come from the former Soviet Union?”

The predominantly liberal studio audience erupted in approval at the apparent reference to Ivana and Melania Trump.

Navarro later argued that the investigation would not damage Omar politically, pointing to the congresswoman’s commanding victories in her district over the years.

“The people who do like this stunt is the Republican base. The reason he’s on a tour, a desperate tour of red states, is because even the Republican base is angry at Trump,” she said.

“He’s been obsessed with Ilhan Omar for years now, and the Republican base hates her. I think what he’s doing is literally throwing red meat at the base because red meat is too expensive to buy!”

Ana Navarro ripped Donald Trump's raid on left wing Congresswoman Ilhan Omar by comparing her immigration history to that of two of the President's wives

Ana Navarro criticized Donald Trump’s attack on left-wing Congresswoman Ilhan Omar by comparing Omar’s immigration background with that of two of the president’s wives

Navarro, a never-Trump Republican and fixture on the show since 2022, was reacting to Trump saying Omar comes from a country 'without laws, without police, without military' and how she speaks of having 'Constitutional rights'

Navarro, a Republican who has consistently opposed Trump and has appeared on the show since 2022, was reacting to his claim that Omar came from a country “without laws, without police, without military” while speaking about her “constitutional rights”

Ivana was born in what is now the Czech Republic. She emigrated to Canada in the 1970s before moving to the United States and marrying Trump in 1997.

Melania, Trump’s third wife, was born in Slovenia and moved to New York in 1996 to pursue a modeling career.

Two years later, she met the billionaire businessman and future president. The couple married in 2005.

Speaking at a rally in Ohio on Monday, Trump said of Omar: “She comes in from a country without laws, without police, without military, where all they do is shoot each other, and she comes into our country and she says, ‘I have a constitutional right,’” he said.

“She’s telling us about the Constitution, and she comes from one of the worst countries anywhere on the planet,” he added.

The president also branded the Somali immigrant “totally crooked,” even as he insisted he had “nothing to do” with the criminal investigation involving his longtime political opponent.

“I’ve always found her to be totally crooked personally, but that has nothing to do with me,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday before leaving for a midterm campaign rally in Ohio.

“I have nothing to do with it,” he added.

Omar, a Somali migrant who came to the US at age 12 with her family after they were granted asylum, has sparred with Trump for years

Omar, a Somali migrant who arrived in the United States with her family at age 12 after they were granted asylum, has clashed with Trump for years

Homeland Security officers carry boxes from the Washington residence of Congresswoman Omar

Homeland Security officers remove boxes from the Washington residence of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar

‘I understand they’re looking at her very carefully,’ Trump added of the Homeland Security investigations’ raid on Omar’s DC-area home. 

The raid was carried out just three weeks before the midterm elections, breaking with longstanding internal Justice Department policies. 

Omar, a Somali migrant who came to the US at age 12 with her family after they were granted asylum, has sparred with Trump for years. 

Trump has falsely suggested on multiple occasions that Omar is in the country ‘illegally,’ despite the fact she obtained US citizenship in 2000, at age 17. 

‘She’s here illegally,’ Trump said of Omar at an event in December 2025, taking aim at Omar, ‘whatever the hell her name is, with the little turban…’ 

‘Throw her the hell out,’ he said.

The remarks come as Trump has repeatedly amplified claims questioning Omar’s net worth, pointing to an earlier financial disclosure suggesting that Omar and her family were worth at least $30 million.

The April disclosure sparked a flurry of calls for an investigation and misconduct charges by Republicans and lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee who questioned the apparent influx of wealth, which Omar and her office said was the result of an error by her accountant.

Ivana Trump (pictured left) was born in what is now known as the Czech Republic before emigrating to Canada in the 1970s before relocating to the United States and marrying Trump in 1997

Ivana Trump (pictured left) was born in what is now known as the Czech Republic before emigrating to Canada in the 1970s before relocating to the United States and marrying Trump in 1997

Melania (pictured right), Trump's third wife, was born in Slovenia before moving to New York in 1996 as a model

Melania (pictured right), Trump’s third wife, was born in Slovenia before moving to New York in 1996 as a model

Join the discussion

Is it fair for politicians’ family backgrounds to be used as political weapons in heated debates?

Last month, the Office of Congressional Conduct dismissed the misconduct allegations against Omar regarding the reporting error, as CNBC reported. 

Omar for her part fired back against Trump’s latest remarks – denouncing the raid on her house as the latest in a flurry of recent efforts to ‘weaponize’ the nation’s law enforcement agencies, as well as an attempt to intimidate her in her reelection campaign. 

‘For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns,’ Omar said on social media later. 

‘This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation.’

Homeless Career Offender Arrested After Allegedly Punching Coworker and Failing to Report Address Change

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ARCHER, Fla. – Leonard Mitchell McCoy Jr., 48, was arrested yesterday after allegedly punching a co-worker and failing to report a change of address as a registered career offender.

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Fletcher Park, in the 12000 block of SW 122nd Street, at about 12:20 p.m. on October 12. The alleged victim told deputies that he and McCoy argued in the back of a work truck before McCoy punched him. The man reportedly suffered a severe cut above his eye, with blood running down his face. McCoy told Court Services that he works for a landscaping company.

McCoy reportedly acknowledged arguing with the man and striking him in the head, but claimed he acted in self-defense after being hit first. Deputies said they found no visible injuries on McCoy, and they found no video or witness statements supporting his account.

Deputies arrested McCoy on a battery charge. During the arrest, he allegedly pulled away from officers and refused repeated lawful orders to place his hands behind his back.

While deputies escorted him to a patrol vehicle, McCoy allegedly pulled away again, kicked against the side of the vehicle and physically resisted efforts to put him inside. He also reportedly shouted at other co-workers who remained at the scene.

McCoy asked deputies to take his backpack to the jail. As part of an inventory search intended to prevent contraband from entering the facility, deputies reportedly found several small baggies containing a white powdery residue that tested positive for methamphetamine.

The backpack also reportedly contained a substantial amount of clothing and hygiene supplies that deputies said appeared consistent with someone living a transient or homeless lifestyle.

McCoy reportedly showed deputies a driver’s license listing a Gainesville address. A records check indicated that he had not reported his current address since at least August 2025, when an officer visited the listed residence and learned that McCoy had not lived there since May 2025. Despite those findings, McCoy reportedly maintained that he lived at the Gainesville address.

McCoy, who is registered as a career offender, faces charges of felony battery with a previous battery conviction, failure to register as a career offender, resisting an officer without violence and possession of drug equipment. He has three felony convictions, including one violent offense, and has served two state prison sentences. He was most recently released in June 2024 after completing a 15-year sentence for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $105,000.

Body Language Expert Says Hochul Looked Frozen Against Blakeman

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Gov. Kathy Hochul appeared defensive and dismissive during Tuesday’s New York gubernatorial debate, while Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman delivered a series of forceful attacks, according to human behavior and body-language expert Dr. Lillian Glass.

Glass said the incumbent governor at times looked like “a deer in headlights,” while her Republican challenger aggressively pressed her on New York’s high energy costs, taxes and rising antisemitism.

Blakeman also visibly conveyed what Glass described as “anger” during portions of the debate. Glass holds doctorates in counseling psychology and communication disorders and has served as an expert witness in court.

Glass offered her assessment of several pivotal moments from the debate:

Hochul stumbles out of the gate

Hochul appeared to stumble during her opening remarks, mentioning President Trump for the first time in what would become nearly 20 references during the hour-long debate.

“And you’re going to hear a lot of… lot of… different opinions here this evening,” Hochul said as she searched for the right words. Glass said the hesitation projected what she viewed as the governor’s “defensiveness.”

“It did not come off well, especially for somebody who is an incumbent governor,” Glass said, adding that the moment suggested Hochul was not fully prepared.

“Not good. Not a good look,” she added.

Hochul on her back foot

Glass said Hochul’s guarded demeanor continued as the debate progressed. The governor often paused before responding, smiled while looking down at the podium and continued smiling as Blakeman spoke.

“There was also a lot of pause time where she had to take her time to manufacture an answer. Whereas Blakeman just went right to it and had answers right back to her and had accusations that were very, very straightforward towards her,” Glass said, praising the Long Island executive’s approach.

“What’s happening is you’re seeing Kathy Hochul really embarrassed. She’s blinking a lot and she’s looking down, smiling. She’s not handling this well,” Glass said.

Overall, Glass concluded that Blakeman presented himself more effectively than Hochul.

“There’s a closing off of her throat, there’s a nasality that’s very difficult to listen to,” Glass said of the governor’s delivery.

The Cornell Moment

Blakeman pressed Hochul during a clash over whether New York should change its laws following allegations of a 2024 gang rape at Cornell University. He accused the governor of failing to use her emeritus board position at the Ivy League school, as well as the state’s influence over the university, to push for a faster investigation.

“As a trustee and as governor, you didn’t call for an independent investigation when you found out that the district attorney was dropping the case. Shame on you,” Blakeman said.

“The university failed that young woman,” Hochul responded, looking directly into the camera with a blank expression.

“She was like a deer in the headlights,” Glass said.

“That is a person losing a lot of points and a lot of people having respect for her,” the body-language expert added.

Getting the Bruce juiced

Blakeman rapidly blinked at various points during the debate. Glass attributed the behavior to anger rather than nervousness.

“That you’re seeing the jaw movement and the eye blinking is not insecurity. It’s anger at what she’s saying,” Glass said.

This was especially noticeable as Hochul was peppering Blakeman with accusations of being politically joined at the hip with Trump.

“He’s angry, and he wants to tell the truth, and wants to fight back,” Glass said.

Blakeman needs a spark to close the 9-to-11-point gap in recent polls as Democrats hold a marked registration advantage in deeply blue New York.

Hochul remains highly unpopular in polls, but Blakeman still faces an uphill battle to unseat the incumbent, who first took office in 2021 when former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in disgrace.

Election Day is Nov. 3.

Nicholas Perrone contributed reporting.