In a remarkable discovery this week, construction workers in Belgium unearthed $10.4 million worth of gold during the construction of a new sewer beneath a former brewery site. Local authorities swiftly confirmed the astounding find.

Police officials from Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, a quaint Flemish town on the outskirts of Brussels, reported that the workers immediately informed them about the treasure trove. The officers meticulously cataloged the gold before storing it securely in a federally managed high-security vault.

Among the workers was 18-year-old Kobe, who recounted his initial surprise to VRT news. “At first glance, I thought they were just 1 Euro coins,” he admitted, still digesting the magnitude of their discovery.

Kobe described the collective shock shared by the crew, mentioning that their initial reaction was one of disbelief and amazement. He explained that they stumbled upon the gold while removing part of the building’s foundation to install new sewer pipes.

“When we did that, we suddenly saw something lying around,” he said.

Project leader Mario said it was a “crazy feeling.”

“They shouted, ‘We found gold,'” he told the outlet of his workers. “I went to look and took the gold in my hands. We also continued to dig up new coins and bars. Only then did what we had found really dawn.” 

He called his boss and then the police.

The construction workers don’t actually get to keep the gold. Under Belgian law, the rightful owner has the right to claim the gold within five years.

When asked if it had crossed his mind to keep it, Mario told VRT, “It’s about so many coins and bars, that almost wouldn’t be possible. Besides, it would also be theft.”

Kobe said he still hoped for a finder’s fee. “That would be nice.”

The building is owned by an organization that provides welfare support to the Flemish community.

The director of the organization said he hoped the gold could be used to help with the “enormous need we experience daily,” according to the BBC.

The local police warned treasure hunters against visiting the site, saying it’s a fenced-off construction site with “several dangerous pits” and that the gold has all been removed.

Police added, “We hope this treasure ends up in the right hands and that this unexpected discovery positively changes many lives!”

The Mets’ season has been anything but predictable, a reality underscored on Friday night as Kodai Senga took the mound in a surprising closer role during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals. As the iconic beats of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” reverberated through Citi Field, Senga prepared to secure a crucial win.

This outing marked a significant moment for the Mets right-hander, who previously only faced short-inning relief duties away from his home turf. Senga didn’t disappoint, clinching the victory by delivering a flawless inning that sealed a 4-1 triumph over the Nationals.

This performance was yet another in Senga’s string of successes, marking his fourth consecutive scoreless relief outing and his second time earning a save this season.

With the absence of Devin Williams, sidelined by a strained shoulder, interim manager Andy Green indicated that Senga will be a bullpen mainstay in the foreseeable future.

“He’s been performing well,” Green asserted. “Senga’s been relentless in his approach, consistently attacking the strike zone. We’re confident he’ll continue to handle high-pressure situations effortlessly.”

That could be in the eighth inning as well, depending on matchups, according to Green.

And Senga is doing his best to embrace the new role, which came after he repeatedly flopped as a starter following his standout rookie season.

“It’s easier to prepare when you know you’re going in later in the game,’’ Senga said through an interpreter. “You’re always physically and mentally prepared.”

One part of working as a reliever Senga has yet to do is throw on back-to-back days.

“I think I’m well prepared for it,’’ Senga said.

No one was prepared for the song choice, though, as the stadium darkened and the 1980s hit came on, with Senga running in from the bullpen with a three-run lead.

Senga said he chose it because he “heard it for the first time in a while and thought ‘That’s a great song.’ ”

Green approved of the choice and also was impressed again by Senga’s approach.

“I don’t see an ounce of fear,’’ Green said. “I see somebody attack the situation. That’s what you’re looking for.”

None of this is what the Mets had in mind when he signed a five-year, $75 million deal prior to the 2023 season.

At this point, they’ll take what they can get from the 33-year-old, and there is belief that his four-seam fastball/forkball mix may play out of the bullpen.

Green noted that Senga’s final pitch of the game, a forkball that Abimelec Ortiz swung over, was perfect.

Senga retired the first two batters he faced in the ninth before Jacob Young singled to right. He then hit CJ Abrams with a pitch to bring up the potential tying run in Ortiz before ending it.

The 33-year old had a 10.08 ERA after his last start as a member of the rotation on June 23, so nearly anything would be an improvement.

Considering his early success, it’s hardly a surprise to see Senga not shying away from his new job.

He acknowledged the adrenaline is “different’’ coming out of the pen and with another year and $15 million on his deal, Senga may have to get accustomed to it.

Mark Vientos (right hand fracture) is hitting, fielding and did agility drills on the field, but the Mets are not sure when he will start a rehab assignment.

Francisco Lindor continued his recent hot hitting with a homer that tied the game in the sixth, which helped make up for a third-inning error that led to an unearned run.

In a high-profile takedown, a Massachusetts mayor has been arrested over federal accusations that he misappropriated Covid relief funds meant for his tire business to bankroll his political campaign. 

Brian Depena, who serves as the Mayor of Lawrence, faced arrest on Friday following revelations of alleged fraud that prosecutors claim tops $1.5 million.

Authorities have charged the 61-year-old with one count of wire fraud and another of money laundering, marking a significant development in the case.

Depena, elected as mayor in November 2021 and securing reelection the following year, previously contributed to local governance as a member of the Lawrence City Council from 2016 through 2021. 

The allegations suggest he secured a $1.5 million COVID-19 small-business loan claims for his tire sales venture, which prosecutors allege was then funneled into his campaign coffers. 

Rather than using the money for the business, Depena allegedly spent more than $880,000 to pay off high-interest mortgages on various businesses and put $90,000 into his mayoral campaign fund ahead of the 2021 election. 

Neighbors told WCVB that they woke up to FBI agents shouting through a bullhorn outside his home on Friday morning. They then used a battering ram to force entry into the property, the outlet reported. 

He made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Friday afternoon and was released after agreeing to several conditions, including turning over his passport and not seeking any loans without court approval. 

After leaving court, Depena’s lawyer Carlos Apostle repeatedly responded with ‘no comment’ to questions while his client beamed a large smile for the awaiting news teams.

Depena, who is a citizen of the United States and Dominican Republic, responded with ‘God bless’ when asked if he would resign. He made no other comments. 

In 2020 and 2021, Depena obtained a government disaster loan for Tenares Tire Services Inc., a tire sales and automotive services business in Lawrence. 

During the pandemic, the Small Business Administration offered loans to qualified businesses that were suffering financial losses.

He used a loan of $150,000 for the business. A year later, prosecutors say, Depena’s mayoral campaign was running short of cash, he owed back taxes and was under pressure to pay back high-interest loans on several of his properties in Lawrence. 

He then requested several increases to the government loan and allegedly used $1.5 million to cover those expenses unrelated to his tire business.

If convicted on the wire fraud charge, Depena faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. 

He faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 if convicted on the money laundering charge.

Ted Docks, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, accused Depena of ‘cashing in on a public health crisis and blatantly defrauding a government program meant to keep businesses afloat during the pandemic.’

A statement said: ‘When elected officials misuse federal funds for personal gain, they’re breaking the trust of their constituents – and breaking the law.

‘Together, with our partners, the FBI will continue to doggedly pursue anyone who defrauds the federal government. 

‘You’ll be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and that `easy money´ won´t seem so easy after all.’

United States Attorney Leah B Foley added: ‘Mayor DePena was elected to be a leader for the City of Lawrence. 

‘He was looked up to and trusted by his constituents, but he betrayed that trust through his alleged corruption and lies.

‘Today’s arrest is just another example of our determination to root out fraud by anyone, even public officials and holding elected officials accountable.’ 

A man faces multiple hate crime charges following allegations of disrupting Shabbat services at a New York City synagogue. According to authorities, the incident involved striking a congregant and assaulting a security team member.

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported that the disturbance took place at Central Synagogue located on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan.

The NYPD identified the suspect as 46-year-old Larry Montes from the Bronx. He is facing two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, along with several other charges.

“While synagogue security was removing him from the premises, he attacked a congregant, vandalized property, and later spat at and headbutted a security team member,” Tisch explained in a statement shared on X.

An NYPD sergeant working a paid detail at the synagogue immediately intervened and took Montes into custody, according to Tisch.

No one was seriously injured, and the incident remains under investigation, Tisch said.

“I have spoken with the rabbi of the synagogue, and I’m relieved that no one was seriously injured,” she said. “Those who were hurt were evaluated at the scene and are doing well. There are no known additional threats at this time, and additional NYPD resources have been deployed to the synagogue.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was “horrified” by the incident.

“I am horrified by the assault at Central Synagogue during services today,” Mamdani said.

“I can only imagine the pain and fear an attack like this, during Shabbat services, causes for the congregation and for Jewish New Yorkers across our city,” he continued. “Every New Yorker must be able to observe their religion without fear of violence.”

“This despicable act has no place in our city, and our administration will do everything in our power to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe,” he added.

Tisch said the incident was particularly personal because she grew up attending Central Synagogue.

“I understand the sanctity of this space and its meaning for congregants,” she said. “Central Synagogue is where I grew up. In joy and in sorrow, it has always been a place of comfort and peace. What happened there tonight is deeply painful. A place of worship should never be a crime scene.”

On Friday, the CEO of a Georgia-based financial advising company was sentenced to 20 years in prison after orchestrating a $380 million Ponzi scheme that financed his extravagant lifestyle, including yachts, private jets, and luxurious shopping sprees.

Todd Burkhalter, the mastermind behind Atlanta-area Drive Planning LLC, executed one of Georgia’s biggest fraudulent schemes, deceiving over 2,000 investors over several years and siphoning off millions of dollars.

The 59-year-old Burkhalter received his two-decade federal prison sentence from US District Court Judge Tiffany R. Johnson. Meanwhile, two of his executive colleagues involved in the scheme were given sentences of less than five years earlier in the week.

Burkhalter’s legal team had petitioned for a 14-year sentence, contrasting with federal prosecutors who had previously proposed a 17-and-a-half-year sentence as part of a plea deal arranged in January.

Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, remarked, “Todd Burkhalter orchestrated what is likely Georgia’s largest Ponzi scheme to support his own luxurious lifestyle, continuing to exploit victims even during the federal investigation.”

The Florida executive had pleaded to wire fraud charges following a years-long investigation into the shady ventures.

Between September 2020 and June 2024, Drive Planning marketed investment opportunities to potential investors to secure nearly $400 million in funds, even immediately using the money to pay off early investors.

Burkhalter then used the pool of cash for high-end personal spending, including buying a $2 million yacht, a $2.1 million condo in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, dropped $800,000 on vehicles, including a motorcoach and two Land Rovers.

He also spent millions on luxury travel, chartering private jets, $800,000 to pay his ex-wife’s attorney and another $320,000 on clothing, jewelry, and beauty treatments.

Two of the investment options pushed on victims were the “Real Estate Acceleration Loan” opportunity (“REAL”) and the “Cash Out Real Estate Fund” (“CORE Fund”)

Burkhalter and crew claimed the investments were “easy and simple,” and encouraged their victims to use money from retirement accounts, savings, and lines of credit.

REAL was the primary investment vehicle Burkhalter used in the scheme as short term-loans – bridge loans – while CORE Fund was promised to provide “100% Passive Income from Tax Liens.” 

“Burkhalter and Drive Planning deceived investors into believing their investments were safe by claiming they were fully collateralized by real estate,” the Northern Georgia US Attorney’s Office said. “To perpetuate these lies, Burkhalter directed Drive Planning to prepare fraudulent ‘collateral sheets’ identifying properties—some of which did not even exist— with fictitious valuations that purportedly served as collateral for investments.”

Drive Planning COO David Bradford helped Burkhalter in the CORE Fund ruse that stole $4.1 million from investors

Bradford, a 53-year-old pastor and father of six, pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

He was sentenced to four years behind bars and was ordered to pay $4,297,878.16 in restitution to victims, some of whom he had met in church.

Bradford branded himself a “coward” for being a part of the scheme.

 “I participated in that fraud and I benefited from it, and there’s no excuse for what I did. I deceived myself and, in turn, I deceived the people who trusted me,” he said during his sentencing hearing.

Drive Planning Chief Administrative Officer Julie Edwards was sentenced to two years in federal prison for her role in the scheme of laundering proceeds and used $630,000 of the investors’ funds to purchase a home in Cumming, Ga.

All three con artists will face three years of supervised release after their prison sentences.

President Trump is facing criticism from the spouse of a sailor currently deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln. The criticism centers on the “appalling” conditions aboard what she describes as a “floating metal prison,” with reports surfacing of sailors attempting to escape by jumping overboard.

In a heartfelt statement, the unidentified wife shared that her husband has labeled this deployment in the Middle East as the worst he has ever endured while serving on the aircraft carrier.

“This isn’t his first deployment; he’s been out there before,” she stated during an interview with CNN‘s Jake Tapper on Friday. “He tells me, and his shipmates echo this sentiment, that it’s the harshest deployment they’ve ever faced.”

These revelations come amid President Donald Trump’s denials that the dire circumstances on the ship could be contributing to feelings of despair and thoughts of self-harm among the crew, despite reports indicating sagging morale.

Addressing the concerns of military families worried about the vessel’s conditions, President Trump bluntly dismissed such fears, asserting, “Well, no, that ship is moving. No, they’re not,” effectively denying the existence of the issues.

‘That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it’s being replaced with another very similar ship,’ Trump added. The USS George Washington warship is now steaming toward the Middle East to relieve the Lincoln in a swap officials insist was already planned.

Asked whether the deployment had simply gone on too long, the President shot back: ‘No. Not nearly long enough.’

The President’s response comes after some 5,000 servicemen were deployed from San Diego last November as they were diverted to support the war with Iran. 

However, since the beginning of the conflict, reports have surfaced of food shortages and rationing aboard the Lincoln, accompanied by photographs of sailors’ meals. 

‘It’s not just the quality; it’s the quantity,’ the sailor’s wife told the outlet. ‘It’s the rationing. The portions are awful, so it’s really not good.’

Remaining anonymous out of fear of retaliation against her husband, the woman added that her spouse, who she said is typically unaffected by work stressors, ‘feels himself being angrier and more frustrated.’ 

‘You’re stuck in a floating metal prison, essentially, in the middle of the water, eating prison-like food with the same people in the same bunk beds in the same small quarters for 200 days, 250 days, you start to go a little insane working 12 hours, getting four or five hours of sleep,’ she continued. 

Outraged at the President’s response to reports of the conditions, she slammed Trump and said: ‘I don’t think the man thinks before he talks.’ 

‘Have some sympathy, some empathy. Take some accountability for what’s going on with your military, your ships, in your war,’ she begged of him. 

‘It’s infuriating… essentially saying that families are lying and servicemembers are lying.’

Other anxious family members also vented their anger to Navy leaders in San Diego last Thursday, according to Stars and Stripes.

One spouse reportedly said conditions aboard were so bad that her husband texted her saying, ‘he hopes he doesn’t wake up tomorrow.’

Another woman accused naval officials of breaking the ‘trust between us and the leadership’ by failing to be more transparent about their loved ones’ living conditions.

On August 3, a sailor assigned to the carrier’s air wing went into rough seas wearing a life vest in what the Navy deemed a mental health episode, CNN reported.  

He was pulled from the water by a search and rescue helicopter within the hour.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and other lawmakers are demanding answers from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.   

Yet, the defense secretary also refuted claims of the bad conditions onboard the ship and said they were ‘completely misrepresented.’

‘Listen, we make sure that every ship, every crew, every captain has everything we can provide them at every single moment,’ Hegseth told Newsmax on Thursday. 

However, the sailor’s wife continued to tell CNN that the accounts are ‘not fabricated.’

‘Nobody is lying,’ she added. ‘They claim to scream and shout that they support [our servicemembers] when it’s politically sound for them… “support our troops, support our troops,” until our troops need support.’ 

Amid the allegations, the wife of the sailor who jumped off the aircraft carrier told MS Now that she was kept in the dark about what happened.

She said her husband was in the water for an hour before he was rescued from what she described as a suicide attempt.

‘I think that it was handled very poorly because they didn’t inform me and they didn’t want me to know, and they’re just trying to cover this up,’ she said.

She shared her last text with her husband on July 21, in which he said life on the ship was getting to him.

‘I’m really trying to not feel negative or hopeless but between the wifi and not knowing when I will come home and not knowing what is happening back at home, it’s really getting me,’ he wrote in the message, noting that he had been due to leave on July 15 but the plan was canceled.

‘I don’t think I can do another deployment after this and i don’t even know if I can finish this deployment,’ the sailor added.

Hung Cao, the acting secretary of the Navy, said in a statement on Friday that the USS Lincoln would be returning home soon ‘as part of a planned rotation.’

‘The safety and security of our Sailors and Marines always comes first,’ the statement said. 

‘Mission accomplishment. Troop Welfare. This is how we lead. The Lincoln was extended because the mission demanded it. Deployments are hard. Combat operations make them harder. War is hell and normal routines are disrupted.’

Cao went on to say that ‘the job is getting done and our leaders are taking care of their people.’

‘Unfortunately, the media are trying to paint our warriors as victims… There is no question our young men and women have been pushed to their limits – but they have never broken. They are rightly tired – but have never been out of the fight. However, it is clear, knowing the whole story, our force and their families are not victims. They are the epitome of American strength and resilience.’

The Daily Mail reached out to the White House and the Navy for comment.