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Friends Pay Heartwarming Tribute to University of Idaho Murder Victims

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A Boise wedding became an emotional tribute to four University of Idaho students who were killed, as two of their close friends honored their memories on the couple’s special day.

Emily Alandt and Hunter Johnson married in Boise over the weekend. The pair were among the first people to arrive at the students’ off-campus home after the November 13, 2022, murders.

Wedding decorations included a sign remembering Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, both 20, as well as another friend, Katie Marshall. It carried the message: “You are with us today and every day.”

Stacy Chapin, Ethan’s mother, shared an image of the tribute online, along with photos showing her family—including Ethan’s father, Jim, and siblings Maizie and Hunter—celebrating alongside the newlyweds.

“What an incredibly special weekend in Boise! Congrats to Hunter [and] Emily!!” Stacy wrote in her post.

The wedding took place almost four years after the devastating stabbing attack that claimed the lives of Chapin and Kernodle, along with their friends Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21.

Dylan Mortensen, one of the two surviving roommates, had contacted Alandt and Johnson after noticing something unusual at the home at 1122 King Road in Moscow. The couple previously recounted how Mortensen asked them to come check on the house.

Alandt said she and Johnson did not expect to encounter anything serious when they arrived that morning. Their concern quickly deepened, however, after they saw Mortensen and Bethany Funke, the surviving roommates, outside the property.

“As soon as you get there, you know something’s wrong,” Johnson told ABC News.

Among the decor at Emily Alandt and Hunter Johnson's wedding this weekend was a sign paying tribute to University of Idaho murder victims Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle

A wedding sign honored University of Idaho murder victims Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle during Emily Alandt and Hunter Johnson’s Boise ceremony

The happy couple is pictured with Chapin's family at the wedding in Boise

The newlyweds pose with Chapin’s family during their Boise wedding celebration

Kernodle and Chapin, both 20, were brutally stabbed to death at her off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho on November 13, 2022

Kernodle and Chapin, both 20, were fatally stabbed inside Kernodle’s off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022

Johnson entered the house first and discovered the bloodied bodies of the four students.

After understanding the scale of what had happened, he hurried the women who had followed him back outside and instructed them to call 911.

In the emergency call placed shortly before noon that day, the women can be heard telling a dispatcher that an “unconscious person” was inside the residence.

They continued saying, “She’s passed out” and “She’s not waking up,” while Johnson told the dispatcher that Kernodle was not breathing.

“That was our last day living as kids,” Johnson told PEOPLE in July.

“Our innocence was gone,” Alandt said.

Johnson has remembered Kernodle as someone who brought energy and fun wherever she went, saying time with her was never boring.

“If you’re not happy, she’ll make you happy. Somehow, she’ll make you laugh. And Ethan’s the same way,” he said.

Alandt and Johnson have opened up about how they sought comfort in each other following the tragedy. They are pictured with Chapin's siblings

Alandt and Johnson have opened up about how they sought comfort in each other following the tragedy. They are pictured with Chapin’s siblings

Johnson had been one of the first people to enter the crime scene at 1122 King Road

Johnson had been one of the first people to enter the crime scene at 1122 King Road

Meanwhile, Alandt said of Goncalves: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been around her when she didn’t have a smile on her face. And it would always put a smile on all of our faces.’

‘Her and Maddie were both super welcoming to me,’ added Johnson. ‘They, like, took me in.’ 

To get through the tragedy, Alandt and Johnson said they started to rely on each other – and last year they moved in together.

‘We just want happiness for the [victims’] families and we want them to come to a point where they can, you know, wake up and have a good day,’ Alandt said at the time.

She added that the experience ‘sticks with you forever, but you get the option to get up and choose to live a happy life,’ which Johnson suggested included the two of them starting a family.  

But as the couple now starts their life together, the families of the victims are facing the possibility that accused murderer Bryan Kohberger may once again face trial.

Bryan Kohberger, now 31, has launched a bid to withdraw his guilty plea and head to trial

Bryan Kohberger, now 31, has launched a bid to withdraw his guilty plea and head to trial 

Left to right: Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke

Left to right: Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee’s shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke

Kohberger, now 31, had been arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania and charged with the murders – tracked down through DNA on a knife sheath left behind at the scene – weeks after the grisly murders.

After fighting the charges for more than two years, he finally pleaded guilty to the murders in July 2025 as part of a plea deal that would hand him life without parole but spare him from the death penalty.

But, in a stunning U-turn this July, the convicted killer launched a shocking bid to withdraw his guilty plea and head to trial instead.

He now claims he is innocent of the murders and was misled by his defense team into striking a plea agreement.

At the same time, his newly-appointed defense attorney Gregory Rauch is seeking to have Judge Hippler ousted from the case and for the case to be moved out of Ada County – back to Moscow where the crimes took place.

Judge Steven Hippler wiped away tears at his sentencing before calling Bryan Kohberger a 'faceless coward'

Judge Steven Hippler wiped away tears at his sentencing before calling Bryan Kohberger a ‘faceless coward’

Kohberger has claimed his defense attorney Anne Taylor, above at his change of plea hearing, was ineffective and misled him to plead guilty

Kohberger has claimed his defense attorney Anne Taylor, above at his change of plea hearing, was ineffective and misled him to plead guilty

In a filing last month, the defense attorney argued that the judge’s comments when he handed down Kohberger’s life sentences showed bias against him.

Judge Hippler was seen wiping away tears when some of the victims’ loved ones delivered heartbreaking impact statements.

When he then sentenced him to four life sentences plus 10 years, the judge described Kohberger as a ‘faceless coward,’ who ‘slithered’ into 1122 King Road and ‘senselessly slaughtered’ his victims.

Judge Hippler also addressed the lack of motive for his crimes, following calls to require Kohberger to give a statement at the sentencing, saying that any explanation he might give could likely not be believed.

‘Even if I could force him to speak, which legally I cannot, how can anyone truly believe that what he says is the truth?’ he said inside Ada County Courthouse on July 23, 2025.

‘Do we really believe, after all of this, he is capable of speaking the truth, or of giving up something of himself to help the very people whose lives he destroyed? 

‘Rather, I suspect the so-called reason would be dished out in enticing self-serving and aggrandizing bits leaving people more desire for understanding. Even if we could get truthful insight into his way I suspect it would not quench anyone’s thirst for understanding why.’

He added: ‘His acts of evil have made him the worst of the worst. Even in pleading guilty he’s giving nothing hinting of remorse or redemption or regret for the pain that he’s caused and therefore I will not attempt to speak of him further other than to sentence him and remove him forever from society.’

The defense argued that the judge’s comments ‘are fundamentally different from believing Kohberger committed terrible crimes or deserved severe punishment.’

‘They are forward-looking judgments about his credibility. And credibility may now be at the center of this proceeding.’

Rauch also argued that Judge Hippler plowed ahead with the trial despite the defense telling him that they were not ready.

In May 2025, Kohberger’s lawyer Anne Taylor filed a motion to delay the trial, saying that Kohberger was ‘having difficulty comprehending adverse rulings and discerning their effects upon the case as a whole.’

The judge denied the request on June 26 – paving the way for the trial to go ahead the following month.

Six days later, Kohberger suddenly pleaded guilty to all charges.

Stephen A. Smith Apologizes for False Shumpert-Taylor Divorce Claim

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Teyana Taylor did not leave her divorce from former NBA player Iman Shumpert with $25 million in cash, $10 million in real estate and a collection of luxury assets.

Stephen A. Smith has now acknowledged that the financial details he previously reported were incorrect. On his podcast, the sports commentator also walked back his claim that Shumpert was left with only about $2 million and no place to live.

Smith originally made those statements during an episode of Culture Table, one of the podcasts created by his Straight Shooter Media company.

“In the interest of fairness, accuracy and decency, I believe it’s important to address what happened in connection with an October episode of the Culture Table titled, ‘Can men trust women with their finances?’” Smith said.

“During that episode, I stated that Teyana Taylor walked away from her divorce with $25 million, $10 million in properties, luxury cars and other assets, while Iman Shumpert, her ex-husband, was left with approximately $2 million and nowhere to live,” he continued. “Those statements were inaccurate, and I want to sincerely apologize to both Iman Shumpert and Teyana Taylor.”

Smith said he was responsible for repeating information that had not been properly verified and accepted blame for the mistake.

Smith apologized to Iman Shumpert and Teyana Taylor for sharing false details of their split

Stephen A. Smith apologized to Iman Shumpert and Teyana Taylor after sharing inaccurate details about their divorce.

Teyana Taylor was the co-star of Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, while Iman Shumpert has become an NBA analyst after previously playing guard in the league

Teyana Taylor appeared in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, while Iman Shumpert has transitioned into NBA analysis after his playing career.

“The information, just to be clear, was based on quotes and claims heavily circulating in media reports and on social media that were attributed to Iman Shumpert,” Smith explained. “The quotes attributed to him, however, were not his statements at all, and the financial figures presented were inaccurate.”

Smith said he learned the truth directly from Taylor, the Golden Globe-winning actress who co-starred in Anderson’s One Battle After Another.

“I personally spoke to Teyana Taylor, who verified herself that the information circulating out there is patently false,” he said, conceding that “we didn’t meet the standard here.”

He also used the moment to caution listeners about treating viral claims as confirmed facts. “What circulates online is not necessarily true, as we all know,” Smith said. “And a claim does not become a fact simply because it has been repeated or attributed to a public figure.”

“I personally take pride in delivering product of the highest quality, and that includes understanding that reports or statements made multiple times do not make them true,” he added. “To Iman and Teyana, my sincere apologies. I respect the hell out of both of you.”

Smith also praised Shumpert’s accomplishments during his NBA career and his work as a league analyst, while recognizing Taylor’s success in the entertainment industry.

Taylor and Shumpert married in 2016 and finalized their divorce in 2024. They share two daughters.

Shumpert played 11 NBA seasons with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets before leaving the league in 2021. He was part of the Cavaliers squad that secured the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2016.

Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert attend the 28th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party sponsored by IMDb, Neuro Drinks and Walmart in 2020

Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert attended the 28th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in 2020.

The Taylor-Shumpert correction marked Smith’s second public apology of the week, following his effort to clarify remarks about recently retired Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson.

The 36-year-old, two-time Super Bowl champion unexpectedly announced his NFL retirement this week after Philadelphia’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday. In his statement, the 14-year veteran said he had hoped to “gut it out for one more year,” but recognized that his “personal and family priorities” had shifted and that he needed to “focus on [his] mental health.”

But while Johnson admitted that retiring was an ‘incredibly difficult decision’ for him personally, Smith chalked up the move to the 2-2 Eagles’ recent struggles.

‘A running game that was virtually non-impressive at the very least to begin with,’ the boisterous Smith bellowed during Wednesday’s episode of First Take. ‘And now [running back] Saquon Barkley got a hamstring injury. A passing game that wasn’t that great to begin with. You lost [wide receiver] AJ Brown [to the New England Patriots], DeVonta Smith, now he gets [a hamstring injury]. Nine starters you finished the game without.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has been accused of making light of the mental health concerns of retiring Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson, who left the NFL earlier this week

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has been accused of making light of the mental health concerns of retiring Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson, who left the NFL earlier this week 

Lane Johnson has been one of the NFL's premiere right tackles over the last 14 years

Lane Johnson has been one of the NFL’s premiere right tackles over the last 14 years 

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‘Now [Johnson] sat up there, one of the all-time greats on the offensive line, and what he do?’ Smith asked before dropping into a monotone. ‘He went like this: ‘You know what, I’m gonna call it quits.’

‘Now he calls it quits, not before the season, not in the offseason,’ Smith continued. ‘After being subjected to this, he said life is a little bit too short. I need to focus… what did he say? His mental health? Am I making that up? Four games into the 2026 season, a dude that has been in the league forever, sits back and says I need to focus on my mental health.’

Smith has since apologized for the commentary. 

‘My intent was joking about the Eagles,’ he said. ‘Bottom ​line is this: It doesn’t matter what my intent was; it’s how it’s perceived. I messed up,’ Smith said at the start of Thursday’s show.

‘Here’s the reality of the situation: I was wrong. ​And when you’re an adult and you’re a man, you have to ‌admit ⁠that you were wrong. I was wrong to Lane Johnson. I was wrong to the Philadelphia Eagles. I messed up because I made light of the issue of mental health.’

North Korea Fires Multiple Ballistic Missiles, Extending Test Streak

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SEOUL – North Korea launched several ballistic missiles toward waters off its eastern coast Monday, South Korea’s military reported, in the latest weapons display to deepen tensions amid a long-running diplomatic stalemate.

Jang Do-young, a spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the missiles included different types and were fired from an area near Pyongyang. The North Korean capital’s main airport has served as a frequent launch location in recent years.

One missile traveled more than 900 kilometers (559 miles) before splashing down in the sea, Jang said. He did not provide flight information for the other weapons, and the Joint Chiefs did not say how many missiles were detected.

Japan’s Defense Ministry separately reported detecting at least two missiles. Both landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, according to the ministry, while the prime minister’s office said there were no immediate reports of damage.

The launches come as North Korea accelerates testing aimed at expanding its arsenal of nuclear-capable weapons. On Oct. 3, Pyongyang said it had tested a hypersonic intermediate-range missile designed to maneuver around missile defenses operated by South Korea and Japan.

The country has also carried out additional missile exercises and live-fire drills, while commissioning a new warship. Leader Kim Jong Un continues to showcase North Korea’s nuclear program even as he rejects offers from Washington and Seoul to restart diplomacy that has been stalled for years.

Monday’s activity followed South Korea’s flight test Friday of a domestically developed hypersonic weapon. Designed to travel at least five times the speed of sound and penetrate missile defenses, the system was described by President Lee Jae Myung as an important step toward strengthening the South’s conventional military capabilities. Lee’s office did not directly mention North Korea’s weapons program, but said the weapon, once fully developed, could give Seoul a surprise-strike capability against key targets in the “Korean Peninsula theater of operations.”

Jang said the North Korean launches probably served two purposes: advancing the country’s missile technology and potentially responding to South Korea’s hypersonic test. He said it was too early to determine whether the latest activity included another test of North Korea’s hypersonic capabilities, as the launches remained under review.

South Korea’s presidential national security office urged Pyongyang to “immediately cease” its repeated ballistic missile launches. The office said the tests violate U.N. Security Council resolutions and “do not help manage the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.”

Relations have also deteriorated since three South Korean soldiers were hurt in land mine blasts last month near the heavily fortified border. South Korea’s military and the U.S.-led United Nations Command said the mines had been planted by North Korea. Pyongyang has denied responsibility and mocked Seoul’s calls for an apology.

Kim has largely ended diplomacy and cooperation with South Korea in recent years, labeling the neighboring country a permanent enemy. Nuclear negotiations with Washington have likewise remained frozen. Kim has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeals to revive talks that collapsed in 2019, while insisting that Washington end what Pyongyang calls its “hostile” policy and abandon demands that North Korea denuclearize before negotiations can resume.

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AP writer Mari Yamaguchi contributed from Tokyo.

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

Long Beach Homeowners Devastated After Tropical Storm Rachel Destroys Homes

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Long Beach residents are reeling after powerful waves generated by Tropical Storm Rachel pounded their multimillion-dollar beachfront homes, wrecked properties, forced evacuations and tore through a century-old boardwalk in yet another major storm to hit Southern California.

The worst damage was reported along the Alamitos Peninsula, where heavy surf ripped apart wooden stretches of the historic waterfront boardwalk and sent seawater surging through homes and onto nearby streets.

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said at least eight buildings covering 13 addresses had been red-tagged and declared unsafe to enter. Another property received a yellow tag, permitting residents to return briefly to collect belongings.

For some homeowners and renters, the storm has brought the painful reality of watching their dream homes threatened by the ocean.

Natalie Cabrera, 59, had lived on the peninsula for about a year and a half while renting a beachfront bungalow. She said she was heartbroken after the waves damaged the foundation of her home.

“I don’t want to leave. At all. Ever. This was my dream,” Cabrera said.

She said the relentless surf pounded the property repeatedly, pushing water beneath the structure and damaging the interior.

“The floor is squishy. Because the ocean just kept hitting and hitting my home, and the water went underneath,” she said.

“Water didn’t come through my front door. It came up from the ground.” Cabrera said longtime neighbors told her they had never seen a storm cause damage on that scale.

“My other neighbor’s been here 30 years, and never, ever have they seen this. So I’m a newbie to the neighborhood. And I’m just devastated to have to leave,” she said.

Cabrera said she planned to relocate to Ontario, where her son and daughter-in-law own a home. “That’s where I grew up. So I guess I’m just going to have to go back,” she said.

Even amid the destruction, Cabrera said she was thankful that her family and neighbors remained safe. She also remembered how strangers quickly stepped in to help defend her home.

“Everybody just came together, total strangers. There was a young kid from USC, fishing. He saw the devastation of the waves just rushing through my front door, and he came.

“As fast as the water came, they’re shoveling the sand out.”

Robert Wells, 80, said his family has owned a summer home on the peninsula since 1962, but he had never witnessed destruction so severe.

“It’s never happened like this before,” Wells said. “Yesterday, and this morning, the water came right over here. And just took everything out.”

Wells criticized the city’s efforts to shield beachfront properties, contending that a sand berm built to keep back the ocean may have intensified the destruction.

“There are more greater chances than not that if they hadn’t put that berm there, that the damage would be minor. And now the damage is major,” he said.

“If they had done nothing, it would have been better. They wouldn’t have all this damage.” Wells also said residents were preparing to pursue legal action against Long Beach.

“There is a class action lawsuit forming against the city of Long Beach,” he said.

Meanwhile, John Fernando, who has lived on the peninsula for more than a decade, said he evacuated his property as the tide began rising.

“I left when the high tide started building up around 9am this morning,” Fernando said.

He described how the powerful ocean waves had stripped away layers of sand, exposing structures that had previously been buried beneath the beach.

“No one’s ever seen the rocks and the extra stakes in the sand until now when the ocean just ripped it out,” he said.

Fernando said residents had been working around the clock to protect their homes and help neighbors whose properties had suffered more extensive damage.

“We’re all in this together. We’ve all been protecting our own properties. And then when we could provide support, we’d help each other out at the same time. This is definitely like 100% a group effort,” he said.

But with another unusually high tide expected, Fernando feared the destruction was far from over. “There’s tomorrow, there’s the king tide, so this is just the beginning, it’s not over,” he said.

The storm’s destruction was particularly severe along Seaside Walk, where massive waves breached the protective bulkhead, damaged the historic boardwalk and left beachfront properties vulnerable to further erosion.

Video captured a large crack running from the foundation to the roof of one waterfront home, while other footage showed powerful waves crashing into structures along the shoreline.

By Saturday evening, parts of the damaged boardwalk had become inaccessible, with officials posting no-trespassing signs as emergency crews scrambled to reinforce the coastline.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for residents along Seaside Walk between 64th and 66th places, with the order scheduled to remain in effect until noon Tuesday, subject to changing conditions.

The city also restricted vehicle access to the peninsula to residents only, allowing emergency crews to move equipment and supplies into the hardest-hit areas.

Long Beach officials distributed 7,600 sandbags to residents, bringing the total handed out during the three recent storms to approximately 15,000.

Crews also deployed heavy equipment and massive sandbags to reinforce damaged sections of the seawall and prevent additional properties from collapsing.

The latest storm comes after Southern California’s coastline was battered by Hurricane Marie over Labor Day weekend and Hurricane Polo in the following weeks.

In Newport Beach, officials declared a local emergency Friday after coastal flooding inundated streets along the Balboa Peninsula, prompting crews to construct protective sand berms and deploy pumps.

The city temporarily closed its beaches and shut down the Newport Pier, Balboa Pier and the Wedge as officials worked to prevent additional damage.

Orange County officials coordinated the distribution of tens of thousands of sandbags, while public works crews used bulldozers to reinforce vulnerable stretches of shoreline.

Meanwhile, powerful winds reached the Inland Empire, where footage showed a structure being ripped from the ground as two people desperately attempted to hold it down.

Post-tropical Storm Rachel made landfall in northern Baja California, north of Ensenada, before moving inland and bringing heavy rain and flash-flood concerns to parts of the Southwest.

Back in Long Beach, residents were left assessing the damage to their homes and wondering how long it would take to rebuild.

Dave Uff, who has lived in the neighborhood for 12 years, said his home on 63rd Place had been spared after he surrounded it with sandbags, but several of his neighbors had not been as fortunate.

“On Seaside Walk, some of the fronts of the homes have been destroyed. On 63rd Place, a lot of water and sand intrusion, that’s going to be hard to mitigate,” he said.

“This is the worst anybody’s ever seen it. The people that have been here for 60 years say this is the worst they’ve seen it.”

Despite the losses, Uff said residents were determined to help one another recover.

“We’re a very tight community here, and what affects one affects all. And some of our neighbors have lost their homes. We’re all hurting for them. We’re all helping out,” he said.

“We’re heartbroken, but we’re steadfast, and we’re doing what we can to keep things normal, as normal as possible, and waiting to rebuild.”


At Least 139 Migrants Dead, 84 Missing in Djibouti Capsize

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At least 139 migrants, including 15 children, died after an overcrowded boat carrying more than 300 people capsized off Djibouti, the United Nations’ migration agency said.

The vessel was transporting 305 people from Djibouti to Yemen when it overturned Thursday night or early Friday near Guhere, north of Obock, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which reported the disaster Sunday.

At least 84 people were still missing as of Sunday, while more than 80 others survived. The IOM said all those rescued were Ethiopian nationals.

“No one gets into a boat like that unless they believe there is no other safe way,” IOM Director General Amy Pope said in a statement.

Migration Djibouti

At least 139 migrants, including 15 children, died after a boat carrying more than 300 people capsized off the coast of Djibouti. (Alexandre Coissac/IOM via AP)

“We cannot keep treating these deaths as normal. Safe and legal pathways save lives. I am asking governments and donors to act before the next boat goes down,” Pope said.

The confirmed death toll includes only people whose bodies were recovered and buried by Djiboutian authorities. The number could increase as more victims are identified and verified, Alexandre Coissac, the IOM’s chief of mission in Djibouti, told The Associated Press.

Some victims were buried by other migrants, but those deaths will not be included in the official tally until authorities verify the bodies, the news agency reported.

At least 84 people were still missing as of Sunday, while more than 80 survived. (Alexandre Coissac/IOM via AP)

“What is terrible is that they were buried with no names, in a common grave, like in a war situation,” Coissac said. “They all have a mother, a father, and we may never learn what happened.”

Coissac said the boat sank soon after leaving shore on the evening of Oct. 8, largely because it was carrying too many people.

Survivors were brought to an IOM rescue center in Obock, where they received medical care after swallowing seawater, as well as psychological support, according to The Associated Press.

Migration Djibouti

The crossing from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula is a common but perilous route for migrants seeking work in Gulf countries. (Alexandre Coissac/IOM via AP)

“They’re all in a state of shock,” Coissac said.

The sea crossing from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula is frequently used by migrants trying to reach jobs in Gulf countries, but the journey is notoriously dangerous.

More than 900 migrants died or disappeared along the route last year, according to the IOM.

Fox News Host Criticizes Trump’s Plan to Purchase 300,000 Tons of Russian Diesel

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Fox News host Brian Kilmeade launched a fierce criticism of President Donald Trump’s decision to purchase Russian diesel, warning that cooperation with Vladimir Putin could become the biggest mistake of Trump’s presidency.

The extraordinary clash unfolded live on Fox & Friends Weekend on Sunday, when Kilmeade, 62, challenged co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy over Trump’s increasingly tense relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Kilmeade blamed Putin for the bloodshed in Ukraine, strongly defended Kyiv’s military efforts and argued that American money sent to Russia would benefit the country responsible for launching the war.

“They’re the bad guys,” Kilmeade declared during the heated exchange.

He went on to compare the Russian president with Adolf Hitler, warning that closer ties between Washington and Moscow could carry devastating consequences.

“It would be the biggest mistake of his administration to work with Russia,” Kilmeade said. “That’s the modern Hitler of our generation.”

The remarkable on-air dispute followed Trump’s temporary easing of US sanctions on Russian diesel. The decision sparked international criticism and accusations that the administration was helping finance Moscow’s war effort.

The move came as pressure mounted on global energy supplies and fuel prices surged amid the conflict involving Iran, creating a political challenge for Republicans ahead of next month’s midterm elections.

Rachel Campos-Duffy and Brian Kilmeade, right, became embroiled in a heated on-air clash  over Donald Trump's decision to buy Russian diesel, with Kilmeade fiercely defending Ukraine and blaming Vladimir Putin for the war

Rachel Campos-Duffy and Brian Kilmeade, right, became embroiled in a heated on-air clash over Donald Trump’s decision to buy Russian diesel, with Kilmeade defending Ukraine and holding Vladimir Putin responsible for the war

Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, 62, delivered a blistering attack on Trump's willingness to work with Russia, warning it could become the biggest mistake of his presidency

Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, 62, delivered a forceful attack on Trump’s willingness to work with Russia, warning that the decision could become the biggest mistake of his presidency

Trump later suggested that Ukraine might need a new president after Zelensky criticized the arrangement involving Russian fuel.

Kilmeade, however, rejected that argument outright.

“The president got ticked off because Zelensky came out and said, ‘Do not buy five hundred million tons of diesel,’” he said.

Kilmeade said Zelensky was justified in being angry at the prospect of more American money flowing into Russia while Ukrainian troops continued to fight Moscow’s invasion.

“There’s one person who’s responsible; Vladimir Putin. That is it,” he insisted. “And he’s getting his ass kicked.”

Campos-Duffy disputed that view, arguing that Zelensky had repeatedly complicated attempts to end the war by continuing Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries despite Trump’s objections.

She maintained that the attacks were deepening fuel shortages and creating additional political difficulties for the administration.

Kilmeade dismissed the suggestion that Ukraine was chiefly responsible for the diplomatic impasse.

Donald Trump went on Fox News with Brian Kilmeade in June 2020

Donald Trump appeared on Fox News with Brian Kilmeade in June 2020

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Trump's decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel as a 'weak decision,' warning that the arrangement would only benefit Moscow

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel as a “weak decision,” warning that the arrangement would benefit Moscow

Donald Trump announced an immediate 'ENERGY CEASEFIRE' between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, claiming both countries had agreed to halt attacks, although Kyiv appeared surprised and Moscow had yet to confirm the arrangement

Donald Trump announced an immediate ‘ENERGY CEASEFIRE’ between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, claiming both countries had agreed to halt attacks, although Kyiv appeared surprised and Moscow had yet to confirm the arrangement

‘There’s no plausible, practical peace effort that Vladimir Putin would participate in effectively that would end this war,’ he said.

The discussion grew increasingly tense when Campos-Duffy questioned whether her colleague was putting Ukrainian interests ahead of America’s.

‘Are you for America or Ukraine?’ she demanded.

Kilmeade responded by pointing to the wider Middle East conflict, arguing that disruptions to fuel supplies had been driven by Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure in Gulf states.

He also praised Ukraine’s technological advances in using drones to strike Russian energy facilities, describing the country’s battlefield innovations as extraordinary.

‘The Ukrainians have modernized modern war before our very eyes,’ he said.

Campos-Duffy countered by highlighting the enormous human cost of the fighting, arguing that young soldiers were dying in staggering numbers.

When she insisted Trump wanted peace in Ukraine, Kilmeade fired back: ‘Tell Vladimir Putin!’

An employee strolls across a deserted gas station in Moscow belonging to the state-owned company Rosneft, where the only fuel available for sale is diesel

An employee strolls across a deserted gas station in Moscow belonging to the state-owned company Rosneft, where the only fuel available for sale is diesel

Ukrainian drone strikes against Moscow's energy infrastructure have become a source of tension between Trump and Zelensky, with Trump urging Ukraine to stop targeting the facilities

Ukrainian drone strikes against Moscow’s energy infrastructure have become a source of tension between Trump and Zelensky, with Trump urging Ukraine to stop targeting the facilities

A car burns following a Russian strike on a residential neighbourhood in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Sunday

A car burns following a Russian strike on a residential neighbourhood in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Sunday

Campos-Duffy then suggested Trump’s willingness to cooperate with Moscow might finally force a breakthrough because Zelensky had become too arrogant.

That prompted Kilmeade to fire back once again. 

‘He is the cause of all the problems in the region,’ Kilmeade said of Putin, accusing Russia of helping Iran threaten American troops and military installations.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump unexpectedly announced what he called an immediate energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

‘Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine,’ the president declared on Truth Social. 

‘Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!’

But the announcement immediately raised questions about whether any genuine agreement had been reached.

President Donald Trump has faced fierce criticism over his decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel as his administration battles soaring fuel prices

President Donald Trump has faced fierce criticism over his decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel as his administration battles soaring fuel prices

Russian President Vladimir Putin was compared to Adolf Hitler by Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, who declared: 'That's the modern Hitler of our generation.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin was compared to Adolf Hitler by Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, who declared: ‘That’s the modern Hitler of our generation.’ 

Zelensky appeared surprised by the declaration and said he was seeking further information, although he emphasized that Ukraine supported a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure.

Russia had not publicly confirmed its participation.

Meanwhile, Zelensky reported that Russian strikes had hit multiple Ukrainian power facilities on Sunday, including installations in Kyiv and Kharkiv.

‘Ukrainian skies have been infested with Russian ‘shaheds’ all day,’ he said, referring to Iranian-designed attack drones widely used by Moscow.

The reported bombardments threatened to undermine Trump’s ceasefire announcement almost immediately.

European allies, including Britain, France and Germany, expressed support for efforts to halt attacks on energy infrastructure while maintaining their backing for Ukraine.

Ukraine hit Russia's Novoshakhtinsk oil terminal - a key export hub - hours after relations between Trump and Zelensky soured over a diesel deal for Russia to supply diesel to the US

Ukraine hit Russia’s Novoshakhtinsk oil terminal – a key export hub – hours after relations between Trump and Zelensky soured over a diesel deal for Russia to supply diesel to the US 

Russia struck Kharkiv's main power plant just hours after Trump announced an "energy ceasefire"

Russia struck Kharkiv’s main power plant just hours after Trump announced an ‘energy ceasefire’

But Trump’s separate decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel attracted fierce criticism.

Seven American senators, including four Republicans, issued a statement condemning the arrangement as illegal.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also attacked the move, saying it was ‘in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada and our allies to create peace and stability in Europe.’

Zelensky branded the diesel arrangement a ‘weak decision’ and rejected Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine needed a change of leadership.

‘It’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader,’ he told ABC News.

The Ukrainian president argued that the real source of rising energy prices was the Middle East war and disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney seen leaving Thai massage parlour

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Isaac Heeney and his former fiancée, Steffie Waters, appear to be taking very different paths since ending their engagement.

The Sydney Swans star has kept a low profile in Sydney following the AFL hotel stripper scandal that made headlines in August, while Waters has been enjoying a music festival trip in Texas with a friend.

Heeney was seen on Thursday leaving a Thai massage parlour in his home suburb of Maroubra, appearing relaxed after his treatment.

The footballer appeared keen to avoid attention, wearing a black singlet, Nike sports shorts and a white hat.

As he left the parlour and walked along the footpath, Heeney glanced down at his phone.

His arms looked slightly red, indicating he may have received an upper-body massage during the visit.

Isaac Heeney and his ex-fiancée Steffie Waters are living very different lives following their split. Heeney was spotted leaving a Thai massage parlour on Thursday

Isaac Heeney and his former fiancée Steffie Waters appear to be leading separate lives after their split, with Heeney seen leaving a Thai massage parlour on Thursday.

Steffie (left) has been living it up at a music festival in Texas with a gal pal

Steffie Waters, pictured left, has been enjoying a music festival in Texas with a friend.

Attempting to fly under the radar, the athlete sported a black singlet, Nike sports shorts and a white hat

The athlete appeared to keep a low profile in a black singlet, Nike sports shorts and a white hat.

Heeney checked his phone as he stepped out of the parlour and made his way down the footpath

Heeney looked at his phone as he walked away from the parlour.

Meanwhile, Waters has been making the most of her trip to the United States.

Over the weekend, the blonde shared a series of photos from Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park, where she was partying with her friend Miranda Rack.

The pair wore matching white crop tops and denim shorts while dancing in the crowd and watching rock band Rüfüs Du Sol perform.

During her time abroad, Waters has also posted about browsing vintage clothing and visiting a boutique boot store.

In another image, she was pictured kneeling in prayer at a Baptist church, writing: ‘When you make it to Texas but our luggage did not and we need help.’

The trip follows a report by the Daily Mail that Waters had quietly ended her engagement to Heeney after he was linked to the Sydney Swans scandal.

Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice were stood down by the club after attending a party at the Pullman East Melbourne with three strippers following the Swans’ August 16 win over Essendon.

The three dancers later made police complaints alleging sexual assault. No charges were laid, and the women have since engaged civil lawyers.

His arms appeared slightly red, suggesting he received some kind of massage to his upper body during his visit

Heeney’s arms appeared slightly red, suggesting he may have received a massage to his upper body.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, Waters has been living it up during a wild trip to the US. On Sunday the blonde shared several photos of herself partying with her pal Miranda Rack at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park, Austin

Waters has been enjoying a trip to the US, sharing photos on Sunday of herself with Miranda Rack at Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park, Austin.

The Daily Mail does not suggest the players named are personally under investigation. Their suspensions related to breaches of the club’s code of conduct, including drinking and bringing women back to hotel rooms, and were not connected to the police investigation.

Weeks after the fateful night, Steffie is said to have been unable to forgive what she sees as Heeney’s betrayal by partying with strippers.

Within hours of the hotel scandal breaking, she fled the couple’s $4million Maroubra home and flew interstate to Noosa to avoid the media storm.

It is understood that Heeney spent weeks trying to save their relationship and kept in regular contact with her in the hope she would come around.

But after weeks of soul-searching, friends said Steffie ultimately could not move past what she considered an act of infidelity after he partied with exotic dancers.

‘She is dealing with the breakdown of her relationship that has nothing to do with the allegations [to police], only the fact that Isaac has been unfaithful [in her eyes],’ a source told the Daily Mail.

According to friends, the ongoing investigation was why Steffie had been grieving the break-up away from public view. She felt unable to make a public statement about their engagement out of respect for the official process.

‘There are a lot more people involved than just her and Isaac so she is trying to be mindful of everyone,’ added the source.

The pair wore matching white crop tops and denim shorts as they danced in the crowd while watching rock band Rüfüs Du Sol

The pair wore matching white crop tops and denim shorts as they danced in the crowd while watching rock band Rüfüs Du Sol

Waters previously appeared outside a cowboy boots store in Austin, Texas

She appears to have left the country in the wake of the scandal

Waters previously two snaps from Austin, Texas: one outside a shop selling cowboy boots and another at a Baptist church 

Her trip comes after the Daily Mail reported she quietly called off their engagement after he was linked to the Sydney Swans scandal

Her trip comes after the Daily Mail reported she quietly called off their engagement after he was linked to the Sydney Swans scandal 

The couple became engaged during a romantic trip to French Polynesia in October 2025, but their relationship has since been caught up in the controversy surrounding the Swans

The couple became engaged during a romantic trip to French Polynesia in October 2025, but their relationship has since been caught up in the controversy surrounding the Swans

Heeney and four teammates - Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice - were sanctioned by the club after an off-field incident at Melbourne's Pullman Hotel in August

Heeney and four teammates – Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice – were sanctioned by the club after an off-field incident at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel in August

The Daily Mail makes no suggestion that Heeney acted unlawfully, only that Waters viewed his partying with strippers as a breach of trust in their relationship.

When the news of the strippers’ accusations first broke, trolls targeted Steffie with abusive comments under some of her loved-up photos with Heeney.

Friends say the public backlash was particularly difficult for her to deal with while navigating her own heartbreak.

‘She is lying low as much as she can and she has support around her. We wish she could do that in private, but she can’t,’ said a confidante.

Steffie and Heeney, who had been dating for several years, became engaged while on holiday in French Polynesia last October.

With their model looks and prominent standing within the club, the two soon became something of a Swans poster couple, regularly attending official events together.

Steffie’s social media portrayed her as a dedicated WAG who attended many games and proudly cheered on her man, the club’s blond-haired golden boy.

She often posted happy snaps alongside other Swans WAGs and even designed her own unofficial supporter outfit with Heeney’s name across it.

The players were suspended for the remainder of the 2026 season after breaching the club's behavioural standards

The players were suspended for the remainder of the 2026 season after breaching the club’s behavioural standards

The incident also prompted a police investigation following allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate touching involving women who were at the hotel

The incident also prompted a police investigation following allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate touching involving women who were at the hotel

On September 19, in what was understood to be her first tentative step towards moving on, Steffie deleted several of their photos together, including their engagement post.

‘She could have done that in private but she can’t so all we can do is try and focus on supporting her,’ said a friend.

‘It’s sad. She was engaged to be married, planning a wedding, building their dream home. He was the love of her life.’

The split news comes amid growing belief in AFL and legal circles that sexual assault charges may be difficult to prosecute following a review of the evidence.

No charges have been laid and there is divided opinion over whether a secret recording seized by police in early September, and hailed as shedding light on the case, would be admissible in court.

The Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions is expected to receive a brief of evidence from the sexual crimes squad by the end of the month.

Powerful California Storm Sends Homes Crumbling Into the Ocean

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A powerful California storm has battered waterfront properties, with enormous waves generated by Tropical Storm Rachel ripping away nearly 30 feet of a Long Beach boardwalk.

Blistering winds and towering surf tore into the century-old structure, raising fears that several expensive homes on the city’s Peninsula could collapse into the ocean.

By Saturday evening, officials had cordoned off the boardwalk with “No Trespassing” signs. Mayor Rex Richardson said eight homes had been red-tagged, meaning they were considered unsafe to enter.

A ninth property received a yellow tag. Residents were allowed to enter briefly to collect belongings but could not remain inside.

The designations may not be permanent. Once repairs are completed and approved by inspectors, a red tag can be changed to yellow. Inspections are scheduled to continue twice a day.

Authorities are still evaluating the danger and deciding whether evacuations may be required as another wave of severe weather approaches.

Dramatic footage recorded Friday night showed huge swells slamming into a home in the 6500 block of Seaside Walk. Waves reached the second-story windows while pieces of the building and shattered boardwalk sections washed out to sea.

Additional images showed floodwater spreading across nearby side streets and patios before pouring into homes and damaging surrounding properties.

Towering waves and fierce winds ripped apart Long Beach’s century-old boardwalk, leaving waterfront homes at risk of collapsing into the sea

On Saturday evening, officials taped off the boardwalk with 'No Trespassing' signs as eight homes were red-tagged as unsafe to enter on the city's Peninsula

Officials blocked access to the boardwalk Saturday evening with “No Trespassing” signs after eight homes on the city’s Peninsula were declared unsafe

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning for Los Angeles County beaches through 3 p.m. Sunday, forecasting waves between four and seven feet

In more recent video, a structure could be seen lifting off the ground as two people tried to pull it back down. One of them was eventually lifted from the floor, the California Post reported.

“It is not normal that we see this type of activity,” Mayor 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.”

“This is easily the most damage I have seen over the past couple of weeks,” said KTLA’s Rich Prickett, whose team documented the destruction from a helicopter.

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

“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 the coastal flood warning Friday afternoon for Los Angeles County beaches, keeping it in effect until 3 p.m. Sunday. Forecasters predicted waves as high as 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,” Long Beach neighbor Stacey Sniezak told ABC 7.

High tides over seven feet are expected in the mornings, as forecasters expect conditions may deteriorate on Sunday from strong winds, rain and elevated ocean water levels

Morning high tides of more than seven feet are expected, while strong winds, rain and rising ocean levels could worsen conditions on Sunday

Rain is expected to spread on Saturday night into Sunday morning, with showers possibly continuing through Tuesday night

Rain is expected to spread on Saturday night into Sunday morning, with showers possibly continuing through Tuesday night

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

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

Sniezak said the damage to her home, where she has lived for 45 years, has left her devastated.    

‘It’s just impossible to fix at this point, and I don’t know how they’re going to do that,’ she added.  

Richardson announced all vehicle access to the Peninsula had been closed off for residents only, and added: ‘We’re encouraging everyone else to avoid the Peninsula all weekend, so that our city crews can have access and best perform this critical work.’

The Weather Service warned that coastal flooding could lead to damaged beach roads and structures, as well as significant beach erosion.

High tides over seven feet are expected in the mornings, as forecasters expect conditions may deteriorate on Sunday from strong winds, rain and elevated ocean water levels. 

The Weather Service urged residents and visitors to stay off beaches, coastal walkways and vulnerable roads and structures. Motorists were warned not to drive around barricades or through floodwaters.

Rain is expected to spread on Saturday night into Sunday morning, with showers possibly continuing through Tuesday night. 

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

‘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.’

NYC Teacher Disrupts Vigil Honoring October 7 Attack Victims

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A New York City public school teacher attended a Manhattan vigil last week commemorating those killed in the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, joining protesters who praised Hamas and shouted slogans including “globalize the intifada,” according to allegations detailed in a complaint obtained by The Post.

Mia Kurzer, a special education teacher at The Heritage School in East Harlem, was captured on video at the Union Square gathering, where some demonstrators reportedly carried flags associated with Hamas and Hezbollah. The footage was cited in a complaint submitted to the Department of Education and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels.

The Jewish activist and educator who filed the complaint is calling for an investigation into whether Kurzer’s conduct contributed to a hostile environment for Jewish students and staff at the school.

“Last night, pro-Palestinian demonstrators overran an October 7 vigil in Union Square organized by Israelis for Peace, drowned out the reading of the names of people killed, and took over chairs reserved for participants, including Comptroller Brad Lander and Mayor Zohran Mamdani,” Moshe Spern wrote in his formal Oct. 8 complaint.

“Video from the event shows Ms. Kurzer among those occupying those seats while mourners were being shouted down. Chants reported at the scene included ‘[globalize] the intifada’ and praise for the attackers,” Spern wrote.

Spern said he possesses video showing Kurzer at the event.

“She was comfortable sitting among the Hamas flags and Hamas chants,” he told The Post Sunday.

Spern’s complaint also alleged that Kurzer arrived at school earlier that day wearing a keffiyeh.

“That choice made staff and students uncomfortable and signaled political activism inside a New York City public school,” he said.

Spern further accused the Department of Education of failing to act on an earlier complaint concerning Kurzer’s alleged participation in demonstrations outside Park East Synagogue in Manhattan.

“A year ago I notified you that Ms. Kurzer participated in both protests outside Park East Synagogue on November 19, 2025, and May 2026, at which demonstrators chanted ‘intifada revolution,’ ‘globalize the intifada,’ and ‘death to the IDF,’ and Jewish congregants were obstructed from entering their house of worship,” Spern wrote to the chancellor.

“Those demonstrations were widely condemned, including by Governor Hochul, as intimidation of Jewish New Yorkers at a synagogue led by a Holocaust survivor,” he added.

Spern contended that the allegations, taken together, point to an ongoing pattern of hostility toward Israel and Jewish people.

“Taken together, the synagogue protests at which intifada was chanted, an unanswered OEO [ Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity Management] referral, disruption of an October 7 vigil, and wearing a keffiyeh in school on 10/7, this is not an isolated incident,” he wrote. “It is a continuing course of conduct by a DOE employee that creates a hostile environment for Jewish students and staff and is incompatible with the Department’s obligations under Chancellor’s Regulation A-830, A-421, and Title VI.”

He asked the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management to investigate or refer the matter to the Special Commissioner on Schools Investigation.

“Jewish students and staff are entitled to a school that does not employ someone who joins mobs outside synagogues and then marks October 7 with a political symbol in the building,” Spern said.

Kurzer’s involvement in anti-Israel demonstrations reportedly began during her college years.

In 2024, CNN interviewed Kurzer about her participation in anti-Israel protests at the University of Wisconsin, where she was then a student. She said she is Jewish and attended Hebrew school as a child. Critics nevertheless condemned her participation and questioned her Jewish identity, calling her “not a real Jew.”

Reached by phone, Kurzer declined to comment.

The Post reported last week on another New York City teacher, Damien Neva, who allegedly posted “Long live Yahya al-Sinwar” in a group chat, according to a lawsuit. The message praised the Hamas leader identified as the architect of the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.

Neva is now under investigation by city education officials.

Gainesville Man Arrested After Allegedly Pointing Gun at Panhandler

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jonathan Manuel Galindo-Vega, 20, was arrested after he allegedly pointed a firearm at a panhandler and threatened to shoot him, according to police.

A Gainesville Police Department officer was called to the intersection of SW 35th Boulevard and SW Archer Road at approximately 10:08 p.m. on October 10. The victim told police he had been panhandling in the median when a man in a vehicle began arguing with him. The man allegedly pulled a pistol from the vehicle’s center console, aimed it at the victim and threatened to shoot. The victim said he feared the gun could be fired intentionally or accidentally.

The victim reportedly gave officers a detailed description of the suspect and vehicle, including its license plate number. Police stopped Galindo-Vega’s vehicle a short time later and allegedly found a loaded Glock in the center console.

After being advised of his Miranda rights, Galindo-Vega denied pointing the weapon at anyone. He told investigators the panhandler had made several threatening remarks, including, “I’ve been to prison,” “I can fight,” and “I can shoot.” Galindo-Vega said he never saw the man with a firearm or other weapon. However, the responding officer noted that Galindo-Vega did not raise his window or leave the intersection after those statements were allegedly made.

Galindo-Vega reportedly said he was confident the panhandler never actually saw a gun. He suggested, however, that the man may have assumed he was armed after Galindo-Vega said, “Who doesn’t own a gun in Florida?” during the confrontation.

During a second interview after receiving his Miranda warning, Galindo-Vega reportedly acknowledged taking the gun from the center console and “waving it to his lap.” He continued to deny aiming it at the victim.

A passenger in Galindo-Vega’s vehicle reportedly told police that he argued with the panhandler after the man called her names. She said Galindo-Vega pulled out the firearm and placed it along the open window’s edge, pointed in the victim’s direction.

Galindo-Vega was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has no local adult criminal record, and Judge James Colaw set his bail at $1,000.