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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
Left: Floyd Long (Mecklenburg County Jail). Right: Shaquina Harris (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department).
In North Carolina, authorities have charged a man, aged 45, with the murder of his girlfriend, whose absence stretched to over a month before her body was discovered in a shallow grave.
Floyd Long faces charges including first-degree murder, failing to report a death, and theft of a dog in connection with the tragic death of Shaquina Harris. Harris was declared missing on July 13, having last been spotted leaving Atrium Hospital in Charlotte at around 10 a.m. on July 2. For further details, a click here provides additional context on the final sighting.
Investigators unearthed compelling evidence from Harris’ cellphone records, revealing a return to Long’s residence. Her final call, preceding her disappearance, was to her grandmother, placed shortly before noon on the same day. Notably, her last engagement on social media surfaced at approximately 4 p.m. Without leaving the vicinity, her cellphone data corroborated her presence near the location.
Family members, perplexed by Harris’ sudden silence, noted her normally consistent communication. Driven by urgency, they distributed flyers and canvassed the vicinity of her last known whereabouts, determined to find her.
“Ain’t sleeping, can’t sleep, cause we don’t know if you’re OK or if you’re not,” Lakisha Harris told local ABC affiliate WSOC at the time.
They were hoping for a happier resolution.
Long told cops that he returned home around 5 p.m., but Shaquina Harris was not there. He claimed that she had taken all of her belongings, including her dog, which is a long-haired Yorkie-Terrier mix.
“He stated he sent Shaquina text asking her why she left the back door unlocked,” cops wrote.
Ring camera footage showed Long and another man walking out of the home, with Harris’ dog following behind. Investigators searched the home and found “several areas of suspected blood” and a firearm, the affidavit stated. They also found suspected blood in Long’s car.
Cops tracked down the other man, who they say provided the information needed to crack the case. He told them that he and Long got into his vehicle and the dog followed them inside. He said Long told him “the girl left the dog.” The man explained to cops that as they were driving around Long said he “did something bad” and needed his help “moving something,” per the affidavit.
Long allegedly asked him about his favorite places to fish and other remote areas. They stopped off the side of the road near some woods to use the restroom and Long seemed extremely “fascinated” with the area, the man told police.
The two drove back to Long’s home, and they went into a back bedroom. Long turned on the light and the man saw a woman matching Harris’ description dead on the bed. She “felt cold to the touch and had blood coming from her nose,” cops wrote.
The man took cops to the area where they stopped to use the restroom. With the help of a cadaver dog, cops located Harris’ skeletal remains in a wooded area off the road. Long’s cellphone data allegedly showed that he was in the area around 8:30 p.m. July 6.
Authorities have not released a cause of death or a potential motive. The dog has not been recovered.
Officers arrested Long on Saturday and took him to the Mecklenburg County Jail, where he remains without bond. His next court date was not immediately listed.
The post Man killed girlfriend after she returned from the hospital and spoke with her grandmother, cops say first appeared on Law & Crime.
A heartwarming video of a young Hayden Panettiere has captured widespread attention following the unexpected news of her demise this past Sunday.
The cherished clip features an 11-year-old Panettiere energetically singing Britney Spears’ hit You Drive Me Crazy during a memorable appearance on Rosie O’Donnell’s talk show back in 2000.
Rosie O’Donnell was visibly captivated as she watched the youthful actress perform, eventually rewarding her with an enthusiastic high five.
At that moment, Panettiere was on a promotional tour for the Disney sports drama Remember the Titans, where she played Sheryl Yoast, the spirited daughter of Coach Bill Yoast, portrayed by Will Patton.
The viral video sparked a wave of admiration on social media for Panettiere’s undeniable talent, with many reflecting fondly on her brief venture into the world of pop music later in her career.
The clip started making the rounds on social media after Panettiere died in Greenville, South Carolina, at just 36 years old. Narcan was found in the apartment where she died, after the Heroes actress suffered an apparent overdose.
A video of 11-year-old Hayden Panettiere singing has gone viral following the star’s shock death on Sunday at age 36
Underneath the resurfaced clip of her singing, one fan simply wrote: ‘So talented.’
‘Wow. She really had charisma! Very sad,’ another added.
‘So sad. I first saw her in Remember the Titans. What a little powerhouse.’
‘This is so precious. Bless her heart, I wish things had turned out differently for her. Rest in Peace, Hayden.’
‘She was so talented. may she rest in peace.’
Another fan noted that in the clip Panettiere was the ‘same age as her daughter who she leaves behind today.’
‘Sad considering that’s how old her daughter currently is,’ another wrote.
Panettiere battled postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter Kaya in 2014. She later gave full custody of Kaya to her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Kaya, now 11, lives in Europe with her father.
The clip shows the baby-faced actress performing You Drive Me Crazy by Britney Spears during an appearance on Rosie O’Donnell’s talk show in 2000
As the young Panettiere performed, a starstruck O’Donnell watched on before giving her a high five
Fans have also been leaving comments underneath a music video for Panettiere’s 2008 single Wake Up Call; Seen in a still from the video
The track was intended to lead into a full album, but the project was ultimately scrapped
Social media users praised Panettiere’s immense talent while reminiscing about her short-lived pop star era, which came later in her career
Another fan noted that in the clip Panettiere was the ‘same age as her daughter who she leaves behind today’
Panettiere battled postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter Kaya in 2014. She later gave full custody of Kaya to her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Kaya, now 11, lives in Europe with her father
Fans have also been leaving comments underneath a music video for Panettiere’s 2008 single Wake Up Call.
‘I am heart broken I listen to this song every week since its release,’ one wrote.
‘I can’t believe it. We used to play that song on our phones on the way home from the club when it came out.’
Beyond her acting career, Panettiere built a versatile musical catalog that spanned Disney soundtracks, solo pop releases, and country hits.
In 1999 she earned a Grammy nomination for her contribution to A Bug’s Life.
She went on to regularly contribute to the soundtracks of her own films, including Tiger Cruise and The Dust Factory in 2004, followed by Ice Princess in 2005.
Panettiere made her standalone pop debut in August 2008 with the reggae-infused single Wake Up Call, her first musical release unconnected to an acting project.
The track was intended to lead into a full album, but the project was ultimately scrapped.
Her biggest musical impact came with her starring role on Nashville, where she recorded numerous country chart singles
She played Juliette Barnes on the ABC show; Pictured in a still with Connie Britton
Her biggest musical impact came with her starring role on Nashville, where she recorded numerous country chart singles, contributed to the show’s soundtrack albums, and made numerous concert appearances associated with the show’s touring promotion.
The Hollywood star earned multiple award nominations across her career, most notably while playing cheerleader Claire Bennet on Heroes and Juliette Barnes on Nashville.
On Monday, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said that Panettiere’s autopsy had been completed and that no signs of trauma were found on the star’s body.
Further investigations will now take place to establish her cause of death, with chief deputy coroner Shelton England telling the Daily Mail that it was too early to discuss the drug overdose theory.
It is still unclear if Narcan had been used to try and revive Panettiere, although 911 audio obtained earlier on Monday revealed that the actress had gone into cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose.
Meanwhile, a neighbor has spoken of the chaos that unfolded at the scene Sunday after Panettiere was found unresponsive and efforts to revive her proved unsuccessful.
Micah Lee, who lives in the Judson Mill Lofts complex where Panettiere died, claimed there was a ‘bunch of commotion in the hallway’ after the star allegedly ‘collapsed’ in a unit in the building.
‘The halls are pretty hollow, so noise echoes throughout. And I had just heard about someone collapsing,’ Lee told WYFF. ‘And then afterwards there was talk about cardiac arrest. I can’t confirm any of that. That’s just what I’ve heard.’
In an audio of a 911 call made at 1.51pm Sunday, a female dispatcher described the actress as suffering a ‘cardiac arrest.’
A few moments later, a male dispatcher could be heard saying that Panettiere had suffered a suspected overdose at the home.
Panettiere died in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday. Narcan was found in the apartment where she died, after the actress suffered an apparent overdose; Pictured in 2022
The actress – who was due to turn 37 this Friday – was pronounced dead at the scene at 2.32pm, just over 40 minutes after the first 911 call was made.
The cause and exact manner of her death remain under investigation.
The actress had a history of suffering from drug addiction, beginning when she was just 15 years old. At the time, she claimed she started taking ‘happy pills’ in an effort to make her seem more ‘peppy’ during interviews.
Her addiction worsened while she was battling postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter Kaya in 2014.
But Panettiere has been sober in recent years, she said in a 2022 interview, noting that ‘it’s an everyday battle.’
‘It’s an everyday choice, and I’m checking in with myself all the time,’ Panettiere told People at the time. ‘But I’m just so grateful to be part of this world again, and I will never take it for granted again.’
The tragic news of her death comes just months after her memoir, This is Me: A Reckoning, became a New York Times bestseller. In the book, Panettiere described how she contended with fame and handled the difficulties in her life.
She is predeceased by her brother, Jansen, who passed away in February 2023 from ‘an enlarged heart’ at the age of 28.
As political tensions mount, lines are being drawn in the debate over Australia’s superannuation system. Labor stands firm in their defense of the retirement savings framework, countering critiques from the Liberal Party and One Nation, which label it a failure.
On Monday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers indicated that superannuation could emerge as a pivotal issue in the upcoming federal election.
“Facing the next election, we’re aware of the high stakes involved for various reasons, notably concerning the future of Australia’s globally recognized compulsory superannuation system,” Chalmers remarked to the press upon his arrival at Parliament House.
“The policies of the Liberals, Nationals, and One Nation threaten to dismantle our compulsory superannuation as it’s known today. Their stance would severely undermine the economic security and retirement income of countless Australian workers.
“Their shared ideology poses a perilous and divisive threat against workers and superannuation. Should it prevail post-election, Australian workers will undoubtedly face greater hardships.”
However a senior Liberal senator later sought to dispute that was the party’s ambition.
The stoush began last week when Liberal senator Andrew Bragg declared superannuation an “illiberal experiment”.
“It’s one of the biggest public policy failures since federation, in the sense that it hasn’t helped the budget, and it has not really helped many people get off the pension,” he told ABC radio on Thursday.
“What it has done is it has created a huge viper’s nest for banks and financiers and unions to pilfer, which is why what you saw at the Labor Party conference was now you’re going to have super for under 18s.”
The Association of Superannuation Funds Australia (ASFA) refuted Bragg’s comments, pointing out Australia’s age pension expenditure had decreased since the scheme was introduced in 1992.
“Super has meant that even as our population ages, the government’s Age Pension bill is going down instead of up. OECD projections have Australia at the lowest public pension spending in the OECD by the mid-2030s,” ASFA CEO Mary Delahunty said.
“Super has also meant that reliance on the Age Pension has fallen, with 12 per cent fewer over-65s receiving a part or full Age Pension today than in 2012. This will keep falling as we see the effects of higher super guarantees coming in.
“A lower reliance on the Age Pension is a massive public policy success.”
Under the current system, all Australian employers are required to pay a minimum 12 per cent of an employee’s salary into a nominated super fund, which cannot be accessed until a person is 60.
Chalmers ‘making things up’: Hume
Deputy Opposition leader Jane Hume said the Liberals would not make any changes to compulsory super, saying the treasurer was “simply making things up”.
“I think the treasurer has taken a leaf out of the Mad Men Don Draper book; if you don’t like what they’re saying about you, change the conversation. Can I make it very clear: the super guarantee is here to stay,” she told reporters in Canberra.
Hume said the Coalition would consider adopting an early super access policy, telling News24 economic security in retirement hinged on home ownership, rather than a person’s superannuation balance.
The Coalition has taken a “super for housing” policy to the last two elections, which would allow first-home buyers to withdraw up to $50,000 to buy a property.
On Sunday, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson waded into the debate, labelling Australia’s superannuation scheme “broken” and suggesting financially struggling Australians should be able to access super early.
“A lot of Australians are doing it tough now and struggling to pay off their mortgages,” she told News24 on Sunday, adding the policy proposal was yet to be finalised.
“In some ways, I feel that you should give them their money now, and let them help them with the cost of living.”
Hanson’s deputy, Barnaby Joyce, backed those calls, telling Seven that the current rules only allowed early access in extremely limited circumstances, such as medical treatment.
“I think one of the hardships people have is if they can’t feed themselves. And another hardship is if they don’t have a house and they’re put out on the street and they’re living in a car,” he said on Monday.
“Surely it’s their money and we should give a little more respect about what they can do with their own money.”
Labor’s assistant minister for housing, Julian Hill, said accessing super early to pay for housing deserves “a gold medal for the stupidest policy”.
In the months preceding her untimely passing, Hayden Panettiere grappled with what insiders describe as “really severe” health complications, shedding light on the personal battles she faced.
According to Erick Orellana, a close confidant and personal hairdresser to the beloved “Nashville” actress, Panettiere’s suffering was plainly evident earlier this year, with significant issues stemming from her back pain, he revealed exclusively to Page Six.
The intensity of Panettiere’s pain was so acute, Orellana detailed, that it substantially impaired her ability to move—a stark reminder of the debilitating nature of her condition.
“At one point, moving her legs became a struggle,” Orellana recounted, emphasizing the severity of the actress’s plight.
A striking image from March captured Panettiere alongside her partner, Brian Hickerson, at Los Angeles International Airport, leaning on crutches for mobility, further illustrating the profound impact of her health issues on her daily life.
However, Panettiere’s pal did note that it seemed like the “Heroes” alum was “starting to be on the mend.”
A second source told Page Six that Panettiere had other struggles aside from her back pain.
“Earlier this year, she did seem a little tired at times. But she was a night owl, and… she has a lot on her plate,” the source said.
The insider claimed that Panettiere “suffered from anxiety at times” and would “occasionally take medication for that.”
“And every so often that could impact her speech,” the source said.
Hayden’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed the heartbreaking news of her death in a statement on Sunday.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Paramedics responded to a 911 call of an “unidentified female” going into cardiac arrest at an Airbnb rental inside the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
The 911 dispatch call exclusively obtained by Page Six revealed that authorities reported an “overdose” and that “CPR [was] in progress.”
Medics attempted to resuscitate Panettiere with advanced cardiac life support and chest compressions, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. She was 36.
Following the news of her tragic passing, another source told TMZ that Panettiere had recently been struggling with back pain.
Law enforcement sources also told the outlet that Narcan — a medicine typically used to quickly reverse an opioid overdose — was found on the scene.
Cops also said there were no signs of foul play, and there were also no signs of trauma at the time of her death, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
“An autopsy was completed today. At autopsy, no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” the Coroner’s Office told Page Six in a statement, adding that the cause of death has yet to be determined.
“This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”
A Virginia resident, who was deemed not guilty by reason of insanity for a killing committed in 2019, slipped out of the United States on a flight bound for Tajikistan. This daring escape occurred while he was allowed a brief leave from a state mental health facility, as disclosed by court filings.
The individual, Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda, exited the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI) on July 6, on a sanctioned 48-hour pass. His return was expected after two days, yet he failed to appear, as FOX 5 revealed, referencing judicial documents.
Instead of complying, Toshpulodzoda made his way to Washington Dulles International Airport, securing a seat on a Turkish Airlines flight headed to Istanbul. He then proceeded to his final destination, Dushanbe in Tajikistan, according to the reports submitted in court.
Court records underscore the breach: “The Acquittee failed to return to NVMHI on July 8, 2026, as required,” detailing the lapse in protocol.
The Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, located in Falls Church, Virginia, served as the inpatient treatment center for Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda before his departure during an approved 48-hour pass.(Google Maps)
Toshpulodzoda was committed to the custody of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in 2022 after being found not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian, according to FOX 5.
His departure came shortly after a judge determined he remained mentally ill and needed inpatient treatment.
“On June 29, 2026, this Court found that the Acquittee remained mentally ill and in need of inpatient hospitalization,” court documents state.
Despite that finding, Virginia law allows mental health facilities to grant certain committed patients unaccompanied community visits lasting up to 48 hours, according to FOX 5.
NVMHI authorized Toshpulodzoda to leave on July 6. Court records show he left the approved placement and headed to Dulles instead of returning to the facility.
Washington Dulles International Airport on May 22, 2026, in Dulles, Virginia. Toshpulodzoda traveled to Washington Dulles International Airport and boarded a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul before continuing to Dushanbe, Tajikistan.(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Airline records attached to the court filing show a Turkish Airlines itinerary from Dulles to Istanbul and then to Dushanbe.
FOX 5 reported that Toshpulodzoda had previously been allowed to travel to Washington, D.C., in 2024 to obtain a passport, with support from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
After Toshpulodzoda failed to return, NVMHI placed him on escape status, revoked his pass and issued a facility warrant.
Virginia State Police and federal authorities were notified, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued an alert in case he attempted to return to the United States.
A bench warrant was later issued for his arrest, according to FOX 5.
A Turkish Airlines flight lands at Pearson Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on September 17, 2024. Airline records attached to the court filing show a Turkish Airlines itinerary from Dulles to Istanbul and then to Dushanbe.(Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda was found by clinicians to be insane at the time he killed Mohammad Hemmatian – a legal finding that means the Commonwealth would be unable to secure a conviction at trial,” the Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s office said in a statement.
“Following that 2022 finding, prosecutors have opposed his release at annual review hearings, including in June of this year, where a judge ordered that he continue to be confined in a state behavioral health facility. A bench warrant was issued immediately following notice that he had escaped custody, so if he enters the U.S., he will be arrested and brought to Virginia.”
The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s office, the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute and Turkish Airlines could not immediately be reached by News Media for comment.
Standing at a height just over five feet and weighing a little more than a hundred pounds, he doesn’t fit the typical NFL prototype.
Isaiah Williams didn’t find himself lining up as a wide receiver until his third year at Illinois. Despite his talent, he went undrafted. Fast forward, barely two months into his sophomore season in the NFL, he faced his third release.
Time and again, Isaiah Williams received messages about how the world perceived his aspirations.
“When you experience being released, when you hear from people that you’re not up to par, not tall enough, not fast enough… I would dwell on their opinions and the limits they assigned to me,” Williams reflected after Monday’s Jets practice. “Throughout my NFL journey, particularly last year, there were piercing moments of doubt.”
The Jets cut Williams on October 4, shortly after they had signed him from the Bengals practice squad. His release followed a game against Miami where he fumbled a kickoff and misjudged a fair catch at the 3-yard line.
By the end of last season, Jets players voted him the team MVP after he returned two punts for touchdowns while averaging 14.1 yards per punt return and 30.2 yards per kick return.
Jets wide receiver Isaiah Williams (18) practices at training camp. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
“Players like that demand respect and demand reps,” head coach Aaron Glenn said recently. “What makes him such a special player is that there are so many things he can do on offense. We’ve got to give him the ball and make sure he’s involved because he’s an explosive player.”
Williams, 25, is creating more opportunities for himself with a strong training camp, gaining the inside track for the Jets’ No. 3 receiver spot — ahead of first-round pick Omar Cooper Jr. — after starting the preseason opener against the Buccaneers.
Jets wide receiver Isaiah Williams talks to the media after practice. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Last week, Jets wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson described Williams as “a heartbeat on offense.”
“If I was in a burning building, boop, boop, boop,” Jefferson said while mimicking dialing a phone. “‘Hey I need you to come to get me,’ he’s on the way. I literally watched this kid at death’s door. And just how he had the mental fortitude to just fight back … When you’re down, you’re not out. Just keep going, keep pushing.”
In addition to his returning duties last season, Williams had 26 catches for 193 yards — and three carries for 34 yards — offering optimism that he could make a greater impact with more playing time this season.
But it doesn’t matter what anyone says.
“As guys see that you’re dependable and they can trust you, more is gonna come,” Williams said. “Whatever my role is, I want to be a master at it. And if you do that, all the glory will come.
“Being around so many teams, I had the opportunity to learn from so many guys. Watching how Garrett [Wilson] operates, being around [Detroit’s Amon-Ra] St. Brown … Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, I’ve always been observant. Everything they did, I was just watching. What makes him great? Being around all these top receivers, a lot of them are special, but a lot of them are just consistent … … After a while you watch and you learn from other guys, and be like, ‘OK, I know exactly how to last in this league.’ ”
In a twist of corporate fate, the once-dominant CEO known for axing 900 employees over a Zoom call just before Christmas finds himself facing a similar fate. He has now been ousted from his executive role.
Vishal Garg, who founded the mortgage lender Better Home & Finance, revealed to CNN that on August 3, the company’s board elected to replace him with Daniel Lewis as the new CEO.
This leadership shake-up comes in the wake of a string of controversies that have engulfed the company ever since Garg’s infamous December 2021 Zoom meeting.
During this now-notorious call, Garg delivered a stark message: ‘This isn’t news that you’re going to want to hear. If you’re on this call, you are part of the unlucky group that is being laid off. Your employment here is terminated effective immediately.’
Following the backlash, Garg expressed remorse, admitting he failed ‘to show the appropriate amount of respect and appreciation for the individuals who were affected.’
Yet the company’s downturn only continued as it faced a whistleblower lawsuit that was later dropped and a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation – which found no wrongdoing.
By 2023, the company’s stock cratered 93 percent as its annual sales plummeted from $1.5 billion in 2021 to just $70 million that year.
Its market value now stands at just $300 million – down from an $8 billion valuation during the pandemic-fueled refinancing boom when mortgage rates hit historic lows.
But Garg insists he was about to turn the mortgage company around when he was unceremoniously replaced.
Vishal Garg was ousted from his position as CEO of Better Home & Finance on August 3
Board members voted unanimously to appoint Daniel Lewis (pictured) as the new CEO
This year, he said, the company is on pace to deliver $200 million in sales.
He attributed that success to the company’s decision to train AI models to quickly process mortgages and the company’s new partnership with Neo Home Loans, which Garg said doubled productivity and slashed loan origination costs in half.
Major firms like Intuit, Coinbase and OpenAI have also partnered with Better this year to power their own mortgage services, while Better Home & Finance also developed a strong home equity line of credit business.
‘We’re winning,’ Garg insisted. ‘We’ve tripled loan volume. We’re close to profitability.
‘We were at the five-yard line after taking the ball all the way down the field from the other side.’
He then went on to acknowledge that the infamous Zoom layoffs severely damaged the company’s reputation.
But he claimed Lewis convinced the board that he didn’t push employees hard enough as he usurped the CEO position.
Garg previously faced backlash for laying off 900 employees on a Zoom call just days before Christmas in 2021
Garg told how Lewis, a hedge fund manager, approached him about six months ago with ideas about how the company could save money and become more profitable.
‘[Lewis’] thoughts about cost-saving were good,’ Garg said. ‘His ideas about innovation were not.’
He then bemoaned that the company was close to a turnaround when Lewis came in and claimed he could have done better.
Lewis was first brought to the board on July 27.
Just one week later, Lewis had convinced the other directors to oust Garg as CEO and name himself as Garg’s replacement.
‘It’s not about me,’ the now-fired CEO claimed. ‘I care about delivering savings to people and helping them live the American Dream. So when shareholders said, “You need to take a back seat,” I complied.’
But Garg said he now feels Lewis ‘hoodwinked’ him into becoming the company’s new CEO, after spending months serving as an advisor to the company and convincing Garg to give him a seat on the board.
‘I suspect he always wanted to become CEO,’ Garg said, arguing: ‘The board made a mistake.’
Since Lewis has taken over, Better Home & Finance stocks plummeted 45 percent – though they had already been down more than 16 percent this year even before Garg’s departure was announced.
Garg has claimed he now has enough votes to force the board to reinstate him as CEO
Still, Garg continues to sit on the board – and has claimed that a number of investors have reached out to him urging him to get his job back.
He said he now has enough votes to force a special hearing, and has retained attorney Alex Spiro to represent him in his quest to retake power.
Spiro then sent the board a letter last week demanding it reinstate Garg as CEO, saying he will work for just $1 a year until the company is profitable – and he will transition out of the CEO role afterward.
Garg also demanded in the letter that all directors other than him, Michael Farello and Hugh Frater resign as he proposed working with a newly-constituted board.
‘It’s an acknowledgement that I’ve been doing this for 10 years, but execution hasn’t been perfect,’ Garg said of his efforts to once again become the chief executive.
However, Better Home & Finance has since publicly demanded that Garg abandon the efforts, MPAMAG reports.
It noted that he was removed by a unanimous board vote taken without his participation and has since launched a ‘costly and distracting campaign’ to reverse the decision.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, a representative for Garg said his ‘primary focus has always been about making homeownership more accessible to Americans.’
He then noted that the stock price has plummeted by 45 percent and urged the board to ‘select the best long-term CEO for Better so Vishal may move into a role where he can continue driving the American dream for more Americans while having new leadership to lead the company towards its full potential.’
The Daily Mail has also reached out to Better Home & Finance for comment.
In every thrilling season of Below Deck Mediterranean, there’s a certain kind of cast member who stands out—and Kayley Smith is precisely that. Originating from the vibrant cityscape of Sydney, Australia, Smith made a powerful first impression on both Captain Sandy Yawn and Chief Stew Aesha Scott. Her effervescent personality, steadfast kindness, and relentless work ethic set her apart. Working under a female captain for the first time, Smith was particularly impressed by Yawn’s leadership style, noting how she gracefully commanded the ship.
“Captain Sandy was ever-present,” Smith remarked. “Her hands-on approach was a refreshing and motivating experience for me.” These words reflected Smith’s admiration as she navigated her new environment.
Smith quickly bonded with her supervisor, Aesha Scott, developing a rapport that swiftly translated into professional trust. This trust was so significant that Scott entrusted Smith with the responsibilities of a second stew. Although this role was unfamiliar territory for Smith, she embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.
“Aesha’s unwavering confidence in me made me believe in my own capabilities,” Smith expressed, highlighting the positive impact of Scott’s faith in her abilities.
Yet, the journey wasn’t entirely smooth. Among the interior team, tension simmered as Genevieve “Gen” Lillie harbored envy towards Smith. Lillie’s critiques and unkind remarks about Smith were a constant in private interviews and exchanges with fellow stew Kat Johnston. Notably, however, Smith never reciprocated this negativity, choosing to maintain her professionalism and dignity.
“I am proud that I was never mean back,” said Smith. “I just put my head down and got my job done.”
Smith also struck up a bromance with Lead Deckhand Joe Bradley, despite Scott’s warning.
“I didn’t know that he had the reputation that he had,” said Smith. “I trust myself a lot when it comes to men because I can see a red flag.”
However, Smith didn’t appreciate it when Bradley decided to “test” her during a night out by talking with other women.
“It’s just male ego at its finest,” laughed Smith. However, she did accept Bradley’s apology when he thought more about his behavior that evening. “We moved on fairly quickly, but it was a bit of icky behavior,” admitted Smith.
Smith spoke to DECIDER via Zoom to talk about the new season, reveal whether she needs closure with Lillie, and tease Below Deck Med alum Hannah Ferrier’s upcoming appearance on the show.
DECIDER: Had you watched the Below Deck franchise before joining the show?
KAYLEY SMITH: I’d seen a couple of episodes, but I had never followed the show religiously. My sisters actually loved the show and encouraged me to get into yachting in the first place. When I came home to visit Australia, they showed me a few episodes with Hannah—whom I love. So, when I got into yachting, the show was always in the back of my mind.
Often, I find that Captain Sandy is the first female captain for many yachties. Was that true for you as well?
Absolutely. I’ve only worked for males, and I can say that females, definitely, are on top for me.
What was your favorite part about working with her?
She just led with grace. For example, if somebody wasn’t living up to her expectations, she knew all the right ways to push them and make them better in whatever role they were in. She’d give them every bit of education, advice, space, and time to learn to be the best. She was always there. She was always in the pantry or in the galley or on deck helping out. She’d be cleaning dishes or handing a guest a towel, whatever needed to be done. She was very hands-on, and that was very new and inspiring to me.
You and Aesha clicked instantly. What’s the biggest lesson you learned from her during the charter season?
How she holds herself. She can relay feedback—whether positive or negative—and finds a way for it to always land in the best way possible. She always manages to uplift the person. It’s not an easy task to deal with different personalities in yachting, and she handles it so well.
I know Gen might have been surprised, but I wasn’t shocked when Aesha decided to make you her second stew. Do you feel like you were ready for that role?
Probably not [laughs], but Aesha had so much belief in me that I believed in myself. She is the most amazing chief stew I have ever worked with. There was no way I was gonna let anybody get in the way of me proving Aesha right. I did my absolute best to live up to her expectations.
Fred Jagueneau/Bravo
I know everyone is saying this to you, but I really must applaud you for how you’ve handled Gen this season. Are you proud of how you dealt with that situation?
I think so. I’ve never been in a situation like that before. It was definitely new territory for me. I just put my head down and got my job done. However, I do wish that I had said something earlier and been clearer with the boundaries. In the end, Kat ended up having to take on a lot of that negativity, and that wasn’t fair to her. It did actually impact the interior, which in turn affected the guests, the charter, and the team. Knowing now what I know, I would have approached the situation a little bit differently. I am proud that I was never mean back, but that’s not really my nature.
I watched Gen on WWHL, and she still didn’t have the nicest things to say about you.
I know! I would love to know what I’ve done to her. You’d think I’ve damned this girl to hell! I think sometimes personalities don’t mix, and that’s unfortunate. It’s best that we don’t breathe the same oxygen.
Do you want to try and hash anything out with her, or is closure not something you need?
Now that time has passed, I’ve wanted to maybe reach out and have a conversation to figure out what I had done so wrong for her to feel such anger towards me. I did try to talk to her on the boat, but she preferred to talk behind my back. Anytime I tried to talk to her face to face, she would change her tune. Unfortunately, I don’t think anything would be gained from another conversation.
I know Aesha tried to warn you about starting something with Joe Bradley. Why, oh why, didn’t you listen to her?
I didn’t know that he had the reputation that he had. I trust myself a lot when it comes to men because I can see a red flag. As long as they’re honest with me and we’re communicating, I like to have a little fun. When things got to be too much, I took a step back. When I was okay, we could step back into it. I knew I could handle myself.
Did Joe ever vent to you about his troubled relationship with Bosun Nathan Gallagher?
He never vented to me in a malicious way. He never wanted to change my opinion of Nate. He would just express his frustrations because it was a really frustrating situation. There were definitely times where Joe needed to lean on someone, and I was that person for him. In turn, he was the same for me when I needed to talk to someone about Gen.
Fred Jagueneau/Bravo
Do you think there’s a future in which Joe and Nathan could be friends again?
I don’t know enough about the situation, but I think it’s too far gone, to be honest. I don’t really think there’s anything to be gained from rekindling that friendship. You know, I have gone back and watched past seasons when they worked together. They had a really great bond. It is sad to see how it’s turned out, but you live, and you learn.
On last week’s episode, Cooper’s behavior towards Kat on the crew’s day off really disappointed me. Do you think that was Joe’s influence or just the pressures of a boatmance?
I can’t say that Joe didn’t have any influence over the situation because they were roommates and would talk about Kat. Though, I do think the pressure did get to Cooper . He’s pretty green in yachting, and we did try to warn him that things get serious pretty fast—whether you mean for them to or not. It’s really tough to watch back now. Kat is so beautiful, and she had her heart on the line. She didn’t deserve how he treated her. I hope Cooper will learn from this and never do it again.
I also couldn’t understand why Joe felt the need to “test” you by talking to other women. Were you as baffled as I was?
It’s just male ego at its finest [laughs]. That wasn’t his best moment. I didn’t love it. He apologized pretty soon after it happened, and I forgave him. We moved on fairly quickly, but it was a bit of icky behavior.
You mentioned you were familiar with Hannah earlier, so what can you tease about her upcoming appearance on the show?
Oh, she is so much fun! Aesha had no idea she was coming, so it was nice to see her reaction. Her popping up was really such a shock for everyone. Their friendship is so special. For Hannah to fly out all the way from Australia—I know how hard that flight is—was crazy. I’m really excited for you guys to see what’s coming.
New episodes of Below Deck Mediterranean air on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo, with next-day streaming on Peacock.
In a sprawling investigation, over a dozen individuals with links to Penn State have been implicated in what authorities describe as a significant cocaine distribution network. Currently, one of the purported masterminds, 24-year-old Agostino Abbatiello from Westbury, New York, is still eluding capture.
The case unfolded under Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, who revealed charges against Abbatiello and 13 others, citing an extensive operation intertwined with university students and two fraternities located off-campus.
The Attorney General’s office disclosed that among those charged, 13 were Penn State students during the periods in question, spanning across 2023 and 2024. Additionally, a student’s father faces allegations of evidence tampering and obstructing the investigation process.
In a comprehensive briefing, it emerged that Agostino Abbatiello, alongside Thomas Robinson, was identified as a key supplier in this alleged illicit network involving 14 individuals. (Getty Images: Rolf Vennenbernd/picture alliance; Attorney General Dave Sunday’s Office)
Attorney General Dave Sunday, on Monday, outlined the suspected activities of Abbatiello and Robinson, noting their alleged repeated travels to Philadelphia and New York to procure “substantial amounts” of cocaine.
FILE- Cocaine concealed in bags. Fourteen people were charged in an alleged Penn State cocaine ring tied to fraternities, with some pledges allegedly used to cut and package drugs.(NYPD)
Members of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities allegedly cut and packaged the coke inside their frat houses off campus and distributed it to Penn State students, investigators said.
The AG said in addition to the charges against alleged ringleaders Abbatiello and Robinson, two more, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, are charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and related offenses.
Attorney General Dave Sunday announced 14 people are facing charges for a massive cocaine trafficking ring that allegedly operated around Penn State.(Attorney General Dave Sunday’s Office)
Additionally, Robert Zanolla, is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility and related misdemeanors.
Eight more “student-aged defendants” charged are facing misdemeanors for possession and paraphernalia, the AG said. Those include Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price and Charles Wiseman.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General announced cocaine was allegedly cut and packaged at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses and distributed to Penn State University students.(Kelsie Cairns)
The AG’s office confirmed at least four of the men charged are current Penn State students.
“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Attorney General Sunday said. “In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”
Thomas Robinson’s father, Paul Robinson is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence and obstructing the investigation.
Penn State University confirmed to News Media that the university has responded to the criminal allegations and announced the Delta Upsilon fraternity would be placed on interim suspension while the school investigates. It also made note that Sigma Chi is “not a recognized organization and operates outside of the University’s support and oversight.”
“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs. “Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations.”
In a statement sent to News Media, Delta Upsilon Executive Director Justin Kirk said, “The charges filed today [Monday] stem from alleged incidents that Delta Upsilon International Fraternity was previously made aware of. The individuals associated with Delta Upsilon have either been expelled, suspended or resigned. We will continue to work closely with the university on any investigative efforts.”
News Media has reached out to Sigma Chi fraternity.
Customs officials at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport made a startling discovery when they found close to 200 lizards crammed into 22 pairs of socks within a traveler’s suitcase, as reports reveal.
The incident involved a 23-year-old Mexican national who had flown into Tokyo from South Korea on August 8. During luggage inspection, customs officers stumbled upon the concealed reptiles, The Times of India reported.
Inside the suitcase, the lizards were methodically packed into socks. Sadly, one of the creatures did not survive the journey and was found dead when authorities opened the bag, according to the news outlet.
Among the smuggled reptiles were nine Mexican alligator lizards, an endangered species with stringent trade restrictions, as noted by The Times of India.
The man reportedly confessed to officials that he had purchased the lizards in Mexico for prices ranging between $3.50 and $4.70 each.
Some of the reptiles can sell for around $630 each in Japan, according to reports.
Keith Jeffries, vice president of K2 Security Screening Group and former federal security director at Los Angeles International Airport, told Fox News Digital that financial incentives can drive unusual smuggling attempts.
“If there’s a market for it, people will attempt to smuggle it,” said Jeffries, who is based in Orlando.
“We’ve seen this before many times,” he added. “It happens more frequently than any of us would like.”
Airport screening procedures can vary depending on the agency involved and the types of prohibited items officers are tasked with finding, Jeffries said.
In the United States, for example, TSA officers are primarily searching for items that could threaten aviation security, such as weapons and explosives, rather than conducting searches specifically for smuggled wildlife or drugs, he said.
“The TSA security directives do not look for items from just a smuggling standpoint,” Jeffries said. “They look for guns, knives, explosives, incendiary devices — and it’s very specific and narrow to that.”
However, wildlife smuggling attempts are not unheard of, Jeffries added.
During his time with TSA, he recalled cases involving exotic turtles, as well as another incident in which nearly 100 exotic birds were discovered inside checked luggage arriving from overseas.
The discovery of the 200 lizards comes weeks after another suitcase containing wildlife products was intercepted at a U.S. airport.
Fox News Digital previously reported that a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture detector dog helped officers find nearly 100 pounds of prohibited meat, plants and wildlife products in luggage arriving from Thailand.
K-9 Maisy alerted officers to the suitcase, which contained 50 pounds of meat, including raw meat, along with 33 pounds of mangoes, garlic, bamboo, banana plants and approximately 16 pounds of Bengal monitor lizard, according to CBP.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took custody of the monitor lizard.
CBP agriculture specialists inspect international luggage for prohibited items that could bring pests, animal diseases or invasive species into the United States.
