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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.
In a move that could significantly influence the upcoming midterm elections, Virginia voters have endorsed a mid-decade redistricting initiative. This decision could potentially pave the way for Democrats to secure four more U.S. House seats in an election that will determine the balance of a closely contested Congress.
The recent approval by voters of a constitutional amendment allows Virginia’s Democratic-led General Assembly to implement new district maps, essentially bypassing a bipartisan redistricting commission. However, this decision faces a legal hurdle as the state Supreme Court deliberates on the plan’s legality, a ruling that could render the referendum’s outcome void if deemed unconstitutional.
The Virginia referendum represents a notable defeat for President Donald Trump, who last year initiated a national redistricting campaign. He encouraged Republicans in Texas to redraw district lines in an effort to bolster their representation in the House and maintain a slim majority, a strategy aimed at countering the political tides that often favor the opposition party during midterm elections.
This initiative in Texas spurred a nationwide wave of redistricting efforts. Republicans are optimistic about potentially gaining up to nine additional House seats through newly designed districts in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio. Meanwhile, Democrats are eyeing gains of up to five seats in California, following a similar mid-decade redistricting approval, and an additional seat in Utah, courtesy of court-mandated district changes.
Virginia stands as a crucial battleground for Democrats, who are looking to close the gap created by Republican redistricting gains. Having successfully flipped 13 state House seats and reclaimed the governor’s office in the previous election cycle, Democrats hope to continue their momentum in Virginia.
But the back-and-forth battle is continuing in Florida, where the Republican-led Legislature is to convene April 28 for a special session that could result in more favorable congressional districts for Republicans.
In Virginia, Democrats currently hold six of the 11 U.S. House seats under districts that were imposed by the state Supreme Court in 2021 after a bipartisan commission failed to agree on a map based on the latest census data.
The new plan could help Democrats win as many as 10 seats. Five seats are anchored in the Democratic stronghold of northern Virginia, including one stretching out like a lobster to consume Republican-leaning rural areas. Revisions to four other districts across Richmond, southern Virginia and Hampton Roads dilute the voting power of conservative blocs in those areas. And a reshaped district in parts of western Virginia lumps together three Democratic-leaning college towns to offset other Republican voters.
Democrats portrayed the Virginia redistricting as a response to Trump. It is “pushing back against what other states have done in trying to stack the deck for Donald Trump in those congressional elections,” Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger said during an online rally last week.
Ads for the “yes to redistricting” campaign featuring former President Barack Obama flooded the airwaves.
But opponents of the redistricting also distributed campaign materials citing statements from Obama and Spanberger, who had both criticized gerrymandering in the past.
Congressional redistricting typically is done once a decade after each census.
In 2020, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment meant to diminish political gamesmanship by shifting redistricting responsibilities away from the legislature.
But lawmakers endorsed a new constitutional amendment allowing mid-decade redistricting last fall, then passed it again in January as part of a two-step process that requires an intervening election in order for an amendment to be placed on the ballot. The measure allows lawmakers to redistrict until returning the task to a bipartisan commission after the 2030 census.
In February, they passed a new U.S. House map to take effect pending the outcome of the redistricting referendum.
Republicans have filed multiple legal challenges against the redistricting effort.
A Tazewell County judge ruled that the redistricting push was illegal for several reasons. Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. said lawmakers failed to follow their own rules for adding the redistricting amendment to a special session. He ruled that their initial vote failed to occur before the public began casting ballots in last year’s general election and thus didn’t count toward the two-step process. And he ruled that the state failed to publish the amendment three months before that election, as required by law.
If the state Supreme Court agrees with the lower court, the referendum results could be rendered moot.
Elizabeth Smart, known for her resilience and advocacy, has unveiled a surprising new chapter in her life. Over two decades after enduring a traumatic abduction, she has now captivated her followers with photos from her latest venture: bodybuilding competitions.
At 38, Smart has not only embraced this challenging sport but has also excelled, clinching victories in various contests. She recently shared striking images on Instagram, dressed in a navy bikini and heels, proudly displaying her achievements on stage.
These images were taken during her fourth competition, which took place over the weekend in Salt Lake City. Her decision to reveal this side of her life took many by surprise, as she acknowledged in her Instagram post. “When I shared the pictures of me on stage, I know it shocked many of you,” she wrote. “Just a couple of years ago, if you had asked me if I would compete in a bodybuilding show, I would have said, ‘Absolutely not! Never in a hundred years!’”
Smart, a mother of three, had kept her involvement in bodybuilding under wraps, concerned about how it might be received. Now, by sharing her journey, she continues to inspire those who follow her story, showing once again that she is much more than her past.
The mother of three said she had kept her involvement in the sport private until now, admitting she feared how it might be perceived.
‘This is actually the fourth competition I’ve done, but I was too afraid to post it before. Worried that I would be judged, not taken seriously, somehow perceived as less than or now unworthy to continue work as an advocate for all survivors,’ she explained.
Smart said the realization that those fears mirrored what many survivors experience pushed her to finally go public.
‘Then this past weekend it struck me how eerily familiar these feelings and thoughts are for too many survivors,’ she wrote.
Smart said the realization that those fears mirrored what many survivors experience pushed her to finally go public. She is pictured here in June 2025
Her transformation has been both physical and deeply personal.
‘This was a big change for me, it was hard, it pushed me, challenged me not to give up,’ she shared. ‘I am so proud of myself for doing this. I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it.’
She added that her body represents survival – not just strength.
‘My body has carried me through every worst day, every hellish grueling experience, it’s created and nurtured three beautiful children, my body has risen to every single challenge life has presented it with, and carried me through so I refuse to be ashamed of it,’ she wrote.
‘I refuse to feel embarrassed about trying something new and am embracing my chance at life to the absolute fullest I can.’
Smart also reflected on how her perspective has evolved over time, saying she no longer wants to be defined by a single identity.
‘I think it’s easy to be labeled as one thing, and honestly, that’s not me nor do I think it’s any of us we are more than just one topic, one idea, one label,’ she wrote.
Elizabeth Smart, 38, revealed she has been competing in bodybuilding competitions and recently shared photos from her fourth event
Smart is pictured with her husband and their three children last fall
Smart is seen above as a child before she was abducted from her home in June 2002
Elizabeth Smart’s picture was on missing posters all across the country following her June 2002 kidnapping
‘I am interested in many things, and as I get older I realize more and more how important it is to make the most of today, we don’t know what tomorrow brings.’
‘And I don’t want to reach the end of my life and look back and feel regret for only living a half-life, not going after all the things I want to do and try.’
The competition, the Wasatch Warrior event in Salt Lake City, marked another milestone in her journey.
Smart placed first in the novice category, third in the Masters 35+ division and second in Class D.
Smart was just 14 years old when she was abducted from her bedroom in Salt Lake City in June 2002. She was held captive for nine months before being rescued in March 2003.
In the years since, she has become one of the most prominent advocates for child safety and survivors of sexual violence, founding the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and speaking publicly about her experiences.
Smart is now happily married and the mother of three children Chloé, now 10, James, 8, and Olivia, 6
Elizabeth Smart (seen age 14) managed to orchestrate her own rescue by convincing her abductors to return to Utah
She revisited her case earlier this year in the Netflix documentary ‘Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart.’
Now married to Matthew Gilmour, whom she wed in 2012, Smart is also a mother to three children – Chloé, James and Olivia – and says her latest pursuit is about fully embracing life.
‘I only hope that we all find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness,’ she wrote.
In the world of anime, striking visuals transcend mere aesthetics, weaving deep emotional narratives. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners masterfully utilizes its neon, rain-soaked, chrome landscapes to create an atmosphere of emotional intensity. Meanwhile, The Heike Story employs soft watercolor hues and textures reminiscent of traditional woodblock prints, imbuing its historical tale with a sense of fragility and lingering ghostliness. In these works, color is not just for embellishment; it serves as a vital storytelling element.
Films like Promare captivate with their bold use of primary colors, while Land of the Lustrous dazzles with a luminous, gem-like brilliance. Devilman Crybaby takes a different approach, twisting vibrant colors to evoke a sense of unease. These anime productions distinguish themselves through art direction that deeply influences tone, theme, and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
The team at Trigger effectively employs a cel-shaded color palette that complements the vibrant, neon-lit ambience of Night City. The cityscape, adorned with glowing architecture and signage in vivid shades of pink, blue, and green, pulses with life. Characters like Rebecca, with their fluorescent hair and illuminated eyes, mirror the city’s lively aesthetic. The rain-slicked streets magnify the neon brilliance, enhancing the visual impact of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and making it truly unforgettable.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Bathes Night City In Neon
Trigger’s cel-shaded color scheme fits perfectly with Night City’s neon-drenched streets. The background architecture and signs glow in saturated pinks, blues, and greens, making the city feel alive. Rebecca and other characters wear fluorescent hair and glowing eyes that echo the vibrant city scape and rainy streets reflect and amplify the neon signs, doubling Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ visual impact.
The stark contrast of neon and darkness emphasizes Edgerunners’ cyberpunk atmosphere. Flashes of color in rain and holograms set the tone for each intense scene and the continuous neon palette reflects the blend of gritty action and stylized futurism in the series. The intensity of neon color often spikes during action sequences, highlighting the drama.
The Heike Story Uses Textured Watercolor Tones To Evoke Antiquity
Biwa from The Heike Story anime sticks out her tongueImage via Science Saru
The Heike Story’s art mimics classical Japanese scrolls with a woodblock-inspired look. Animators gave Heike rich, earthy hues and almost no shading, creating an ink-on-parchment effect. The backgrounds have a textured, paper-like finish that softens edges and blends foreground with background, and each frame’s brushstroke textures and subtle gradients reinforce the hand-painted feel.
Heike’s muted palette of saffron yellows, moss greens and indigo blues evokes the Heian period setting and the scenes feel like living paintings where colors flow as if brushed on silk. The overall subdued palette keeps the focus on narrative and historical atmosphere, not flashy visuals. The gentle, historical palette enhances the overall epic and poetic mood of the Genpei War tale.
Promare Erupts In Neon-soaked Ultra-vibrant Color
Lio Fotia looks at a flame on her palm in PromareImage via Studio Trigger
Promare’s palette bursts with bright pinks, blues and yellows in every scene. The fantastic film uses flat, vivid color blocks and heavy black outlines which are reminiscent of synthwave or arcade art. The bright neon colors and futuristic setting define Trigger production’s design. Characters like Galo Thymos have costumes and hair that also adopt vivid neon shades, reinforcing the candy-colored aesthetic.
Flames and explosions in Promare appear in surreal neon pink and cyan, tying the color scheme to the pyrokinetic themes of the film. Geometric overlays and colored smoke fill action scenes which turn battles into light shows. Characters’ costumes also reflect the palette, like Galo’s red jacket mirroring the fire motif. Promare’s gaudy palette reinforces the movie’s flamboyant style and high-energy rebellion.
Land Of The Lustrous Glitters With Gem-toned Brilliance
Orange’s CGI renders each gemstone character with glowing, translucent hair and eyes. The Land’s scenery is bright and crisp and every single green blade of grass feels vivid. Land of the Lustrous’ use of lighting and color is brilliant, and the backgrounds and characters literally glow under sunlight. Even the sky and water glow while sunset scenes cast pinks and oranges across the Lustrous, enhancing their shine.
Moreover, each gem has a distinct color, like Phosphophyllite’s mint green, Bort’s purple and Cinnabar’s red. Metallic highlights and sparkle effects are used freely, and each scene feels like light is bouncing off the Jewels. Their hair casts colored light onto objects, integrating characters and the environment. While the abundant color and light emphasize the fantasy setting, making the Lustrous world feel precious and otherworldly.
Dorohedoro Contrasts Grunge With Bold Earthy Hues
Caiman and Natsuki enjoy a beverage together and laugh in Dorohedoro.Image via MAPPA
Dorohedoro blends a dirty, post-apocalyptic setting with sudden flashes of color. The palette is vibrant and diverse, but the overall aesthetic is earthy and bold. Grayscale browns and greens cover alleyways and factories, while neon blues and yellows appear in magic spells and goggles. Neon signs and graffiti in the city provide bright highlights against the otherwise muted backdrop.
Each violent scene splashes vivid color, with bright blood-red spills against charcoal stone. Dorohedoro’s animation mixes textured 2D backgrounds with CGI elements, highlighting both grit and color. Everyday items in the Hole, like pizza and soda, also get neon touches which bring playful color to the otherwise grim setting. This earthy-yet-vibrant palette matches Dorohedoro’s mix of horror and dark comedy, making the grotesque world feel alive.
Ping Pong The Animation Uses A Subdued Pastel Palette To Highlight Character Drama
Smile swings a ping pong paddle in Ping Pong the Animation.Image via Tatsunoko Production
Masaaki Yuasa’s style in Ping Pong the Animation is intentionally muted and raw. The color palette is dreary and pastel with virtually no vibrant hues. Soft blues, browns and grays dominate the scenes, giving the sports anime a rough and sketch-like feel. Each scoreboard and game ball is carefully colored to subtly highlight the intense drama of matches.
Ping Pong’s subdued colors make each match feel weighty and every flash of brighter color, like a red table tennis paddle, stands out dramatically. This restraint directs focus to motion and emotion instead of flashy effects. Small details like players’ jersey colors or the ball’s red and white panels are subtly emphasized and, even without bright colors, Ping Pong’s palette still catches your attention by emphasizing form and movement.
The Garden Of Words Bathes Tokyo’s Rain In Gray-green Washes
Takao makes Yukino wear the shoes he made in Garden of WordsImage via CoMix Waves Films
Creator Makoto Shinkai centers the film on a rainy garden, using mostly greens and grays. The limited palette lets the foliage stand out and the garden’s greens feel more lush against the gray rain. Overcast skies and wet streets dominate The Garden of Words, making each green leaf and puddle appear radiant. Falling raindrops and garden flowers appear with crisp detail and gentle color tints, blending with the quiet scene.
The visuals literally glow as the lighting softly tints Takao and Yukari with garden green so that the scenes seem to glow from within. Background textures like the pavement and wood are rendered in soft blue and green tints, blending smoothly with the rain-soaked atmosphere. Diffused light and misty backgrounds heighten the film’s depth, turning rain and columns of light into artistic effects. Together, The Garden of Words’ subdued tones evoke a calm, dreamy mood that mirrors the film’s introspective tone.
No Game No Life Dazzles With An Over-the-top Rainbow Spectrum
Sora and Shiro look at their PSP in No Game No Life anime.Image via Madhouse
No Game No Life is a fantasy series that floods every frame with saturated bright colors. The palette is instantly noticeable, to the point of being an assault on the senses. Electric pinks, purples, oranges and blues cover characters, environments and game pieces alike. Main characters Shiro and Sora often appear with bright, unconventional hair colors which underline the series’ rainbow motif.
Color patterns shift wildly as the game world changes rules, keeping the visuals in constant flux as the high-contrast shading makes even small details pop in neon pink or yellow. UI elements, cards and scores flash with the same rainbow theme, reinforcing the high-energy game world. The gaudy, kaleidoscopic palette matches No Game No Life’s hectic tone, making each episode feel like a flashy light show.
Devilman Crybaby Surges In Bleak Neon And Surreal Reds
The demonic teenager Akira smiles maliciously in Devilman CrybabyImage via Science SARU
Yuasa’s Devilman Crybaby adaptation mixes Go Nagai’s horror with fluid, psychedelic visuals. The Netflix series features a mix of bleak and sharp colors which creates a bizarre, trippy mood. Demon scenes explode in neon red and blue against stark blacks and the palette turns garish during parties and raves in the series, with neon spotlights framing character silhouettes.
Ordinary world scenes use muted grays, so color erupts only at moments of violence or transformation. Devilman Crybaby’s sharp contrast makes the supernatural horror feel intense and nightmarish. Even party or casual scenes are filled with off-kilter color choices like pastel skin tones and neon lights to unsettle viewers. The resulting palette feels chaotic and surreal, reflecting Devilman’s themes of madness and despair.
Made In Abyss Unlocks A Colorful World Amid Darkness
Riko looks shocked and scared in Made in Abyss.Image via Kinema Citrus
Despite its grim setting, the Abyss is rendered in lush, vibrant color. The upper layers are bright and alive, presenting a colorful and vibrant world of strange flora and creatures. Sunny skies and vivid greens greet Riko and Reg, masking the descent’s dangers with deceptively warm hues.
Sunlight filters down from above into the Abyss, illuminating relics and butterflies. As the descent into the Abyss continues, the palette shifts as comforting oranges turn to eerie blues and purples in deeper layers. The rich palette creates a sense of wonder as the children explore deeper. The contrast between beauty and horror in Made in Abyss draws viewers in, making the journey feel magical as well as perilous.
Inset: Cedric Valdez (Hillsboro Police Department). Background: The Target in Hillsboro, Ore., where cops say Cedric Valdez was caught and arrested for his “school project” scheme (Google Maps).
A 23-year-old man from Oregon has been charged with orchestrating a deceptive scheme that allegedly targeted over 100 individuals, including minors, under the guise of being a “reflexology student” needing assistance with a “school project,” according to police reports.
Cedric Valdez is accused by the Hillsboro Police Department of approaching women in various locations such as large retail stores, parking lots, and shopping center storefronts with the intention of gaining access to their feet. These details were outlined in an official press release issued by the department.
Court documents reviewed by local NBC affiliate KGW reveal that Valdez allegedly posed as a student conducting a reflexology project, claiming it required him to meet strangers and examine their feet. However, authorities assert that this ruse was merely a cover for his foot fetish.
The legal documents indicate that Valdez confessed to law enforcement he was “sexually attracted” to feet and fabricated the school project story to facilitate access to numerous victims. Prosecutors allege his scheme spanned five years and ensnared more than 100 victims aged between 14 and 47.
During this period, Valdez is accused of engaging in inappropriate conduct with the victims’ feet, including massaging, smelling, kissing, and even licking them. He reportedly requested to accompany his victims to their cars, where he proceeded to remove their shoes and massage their feet. Furthermore, he allegedly captured photos and videos of these encounters, which he subsequently uploaded to adult websites, according to the prosecution.
Valdez allegedly told investigators that for many of the interactions he was accompanied by a juvenile. Court records viewed by Law&Crime show that Valdez is facing 41 counts of third-degree sexual abuse, sexual harassment and practicing massage without a license.
“We want to thank the brave women who came forward to report the incidents to police,” the Hillsboro Police Department says. “Multiple victims have been identified in this case, but it is believed there are more who have not yet come forward.”
At least 13 of Valdez’s alleged victims are said to be minors. Police say he was arrested at one of his foot-hunting grounds, Target, in January and his bail was set last week at $10,000. Court records show that he was still locked up as of Friday and is scheduled to go on trial in August.
During a city council workshop in Richmond Hill, Georgia, local officials deliberated on the future of the airport authority, following a delayed decision on its approval.
The Richmond Hill City Council had initially planned to vote on April 7 regarding the endorsement or rejection of the Bryan County Airport Authority. However, the decision was postponed.
The airport authority, consisting of 11 members, is tasked with developing a strategic vision for a prospective noncommercial airport. The vote was deferred after Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Hatala revealed she had come across new information about the authority that other council members were not aware of.
In the meeting on Tuesday night, Hatala presented her findings to the council, urging them to reject the authority’s proposal.
“I am requesting the council to pass the resolution to halt any economic support or potential funding for this project from this point onward,” Hatala stated. “We have determined it is not economically viable.”
Hatala said she learned this information after a conversation with Georgia State Rep. Ron Stephens (R-164).
The airport authority is a state-created entity; therefore, the state has the power to dissolve the authority and make decisions, Hatala said.
“The state has the authority to do anything and any time we’re trying to get ahead of it by saying at this economic feasibility standpoint, we don’t feel it’s necessary to support it,” Councilmember Kevin Bowes said.
Hatala and Bowes openly agreed and said that the city is not in a position to financially support the airport.
“We’re not going to sit there and wait for you guys to tell us to give us money,” Bowes said. “We want to say at this time, we don’t want to support it.”
Councilmember Steven Scholar asked whether, if economic support were pulled, the city could rejoin the conversation. Bowes said currently they can’t support it financially and he is unsure if things will change.
“I don’t believe it’s economically feasible right now,” Hatala said. “In the future, I don’t know.”
The airport authority is slated to be voted on during the May 5 City Council meeting.
The Justice Department revealed on Tuesday that a 56-year-old individual from Shreveport has been taken into custody in connection with the tragic mass shooting that took place in Louisiana over the weekend.
Authorities allege that Charles Ford, who is barred from firearm ownership due to his criminal record, had the rifle that was eventually used by a father to end the lives of eight children. Investigators were able to trace the weapon back to him.
The violent incident, characterized as a domestic assault, erupted on Sunday. Shamar Elkins, 31, is said to have acquired the firearm before embarking on a multi-location shooting spree. This rampage concluded with police shooting Elkins in Shreveport. Seven of the slain children, aged between 1 and 14, were reportedly his own.
Prosecutors also accuse Ford of misleading law enforcement regarding the firearm, compounding his charges of illegal possession.
A family photo showing Shamar Elkins.(Facebook/Shamar Elkins)
“Holding people accountable does not stop with the person who pulled the trigger but also includes those who give access to and proliferate firearms that are later used in violent crime,” ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson said.
The DOJ released a photo of the rifle used in the mass shooting, adding that the ATF and the Shreveport Police Department both conducted a firearms trace on it.
Ford was later identified as the original purchaser of the firearm and is accused of giving it to Elkins, authorities said.
When confronted by law enforcement, Ford initially lied to ATF agents about possessing the firearm, claiming he never had it.
He later admitted to the possession, stating that he kept it under a seat and believed Elkins took it, according to authorities.
Ford faces up to 15 years in federal prison on the felon-in-possession charge and up to five years on a false statement charge.
A rifle was confiscated from the scene of a deadly mass shooting that left eight children dead in Louisiana.(United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana)
United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller said the department hopes to hold accountable the person who gave Elkins access to the firearm.
“Elkins’ death means that our community will never see him face justice. Our hope, as we continue to investigate and prosecute this case alongside our law enforcement partners, is that holding the person whose gun Elkins used to perpetrate the crime accountable will give some small bit of solace to our Shreveport community,” Keller said.
“Our law enforcement partners are investigating every angle of how this tragedy came to occur, and this case arises from that investigation—in particular, how Elkins secured a firearm that he used to execute his own children,” he added.
Shamar Elkins, 31, is pictured in a family photo(Facebook/Shamar Elkins)
An Army official told Fox News Digital that Elkins previously served in the Louisiana Army National Guard.
He reportedly shot several people in addition to the eight deceased victims during the attack, including the mother of his children, who is expected to survive.
Separately, another woman suffered life-threatening injuries, while a teenage victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the shootings, investigators said Elkins fled the scene, carjacked a vehicle and led officers on a police chase.
The incident ended in Bossier City, where Elkins was shot and killed by police.
Sunday’s shooting marks one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in recent years.
Bonny Chu is a Digital Production Assistant at Fox News Digital.
A fourth individual has been charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping and murder of Chris Baghsarian, a case reportedly stemming from mistaken identity. This suspect is additionally facing accusations of arson.
Moustafa Ohrok, 19, did not apply for bail in Mt Druitt Local Court today after being charged with the murder of the 85-year-old in February.
Ohrok was arrested yesterday, after Baghsarian was taken from his home in Sydney‘s north in the early hours of February 13.
Chris Baghsarian (NSW Police)
Three other individuals have already been charged and are currently navigating the legal system.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the young man arrested yesterday was involved in the initial abduction of Baghsarian.
Speaking to 2GB radio, Lanyon stated, “We allege that this 19-year-old supplied the firearm used in the initial kidnapping.”
Authorities are actively investigating to identify any additional suspects involved in the case.
In court yesterday, Ohrok was confronted with two distinct charges: property damage by fire and involvement in a criminal organization.
The 19-year-old will appear in Penrith Local Court on the murder and kidnap charges on June 12.
The widower was not the intended target and had been taken in a case of mistaken identity, police have said.
They made several public appeals, urging the kidnappers to release the 85-year-old and return him to his family.
But on February 24, his body was found near a golf club in Pitt Town in Sydney‘s northwest.
Police suspect the perpetrators aimed to abduct a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, who lived on the same street as Baghsarian, with the hope of receiving a $50 million ransom.
Investigators believe Baghsarian was killed on the night of February 14 at a makeshift stronghold in Dural, about a half-hour drive from where his remains were found.
A growing number of underworld attacks have permeated Sydney streets, with Lanyon saying the city is dealing with a very different organised crime environment.
“We are seeing young people predominantly being contracted online to conduct very serious criminal activity,” he said.
“There are a lot of young people who are seeing what they believe to be an easy dollar but not understanding the ramifications … the crime of murder carries life.”
Five others, including a 15-year-old boy, were charged today over a separate kidnapping in south-west Sydney.
The group are accused of beating up a bodyguard with a baseball bat and abducting him in his own car before being freed by police an hour later.
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The production of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” is set to resume after a suspension caused by an investigation into domestic abuse involving cast member Taylor Frankie Paul and her former partner, Dakota Mortensen.
Hulu has confirmed to Deadline that filming for Season 5 of the reality series will proceed, though they have not disclosed further details at this time.
Attempts to reach a Hulu representative for additional comments were unsuccessful, as they were not immediately available to respond to Page Six.
Paul recently made headlines when “SLOMW” halted its Season 5 production due to an investigation into allegations of domestic violence against her by Mortensen.
In the wake of these events, ABC decided to cancel the planned season of “The Bachelorette” featuring Paul, following the release of a troubling video depicting a domestic incident between her and her ex.
In the footage from 2023, she attacks Mortensen with chairs in front of her now 8-year-old daughter, Indy.
It was later revealed on March 25 that Paul was under a third domestic violence investigation being led by the West Jordan Police Department in addition to the two investigations being pursued by Draper Police in Utah.
The most recent charges against Paul have been dropped, but she remains embroiled in a heated custody battle with Mortensen, 33, after he petitioned the courts for an order of protection against her.
Mortensen was granted temporary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever.
Reportedly, sources told TMZ earlier this month that the other stars of the hit reality show “resolved” concerns about filming following the headline-grabbing alleged altercation and were ready to film again.
The cast at the time reportedly anticipated production to resume “in a matter of weeks,” per the report, allegedly pushing Hulu bosses to start as soon as possible so that the delayed production doesn’t affect their summer plans.
Ryan Seacrest, recognized for his wealth, fame, and conventional good looks, seems to have a peculiar quirk that might be hindering his quest for romance: his penchant for winking. On April 1, 2026, during a segment of his radio show “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” he candidly addressed this quirky habit with his co-hosts. Tanya Rad, one of his co-hosts, noted, “Ryan is such a winker.” Sisanie, another co-host, chimed in, expressing her discomfort by saying, “I think I’ve gotten numb to your winking, but…it’s so cringe.” Seacrest then humorously dedicated two minutes to demonstrate his infamous wink to the camera, reinforcing the ladies’ observations—no, it wasn’t an April Fools’ prank.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Interestingly, Seacrest’s habit seems to have influenced Sisanie, despite her apparent dislike for it. The discussion broadened to explore how winking could alter the dynamics of a conversation. Seacrest explained, “the wink means I did not do what I’m about to say.” For instance, if someone winks while claiming they’re “not really” interested in someone, it implies the opposite. Co-host Ray suggested that winking carries an innuendo. Initially, Seacrest disagreed but eventually conceded that it “could” imply something suggestive.
Sisanie summed it up succinctly: “I think winking is all bad and we need to all stop.”
However, Seacrest’s winking isn’t the only hurdle in his love life. On his radio show, he admitted to being quite selective with his Tinder matches. He looks for partners who are polite and sociable, but also shares his love for morning coffee—specifically without excessive milk or additives. “Green flag, black coffee drinker,” he declared, according to Page Six. Furthermore, he’s not fond of women using loud alarms or taking longer than 27 minutes to get ready. Given Seacrest’s history of dating significantly younger women, finding someone in their twenties who fits this mold might be challenging for the “American Idol” host, born in 1974.
Nevertheless, there’s someone for everyone. Somewhere, Seacrest’s ideal partner might be greeting strangers, sipping plain coffee, and perfecting a 26-minute-and-59-second morning routine. She would also need to be open to having children, as Seacrest was warming up to the idea before his 2024 split with Aubrey Paige. “I do want to have kids. But I haven’t even gone down that path, which is nuts at my age,” he shared with WSJ Magazine in December 2021, as reported by People. “I think in the last year, it’s become clear to me that yes, I do want to do that… I want to be available and present.”
Ryan Seacrest has strict standards
Jesse Grant/Getty Images
Ryan Seacrest’s winking habit may not be the only reason he hasn’t been able to find love again. He also revealed he’s quite picky about his Tinder matches during “On Air with Ryan Seacrest.” While he, quite reasonably, wants his dates to be friendly and respectful of others, he also requires them to enjoy getting morning coffee together. But they can’t drink too much or mix in too many additives, like milk. (No, we’re not kidding.) “Green flag, black coffee drinker,” he said (via Page Six). He also doesn’t like when women have loud “hardcore” alarms on their phones. Taking too long to get ready — more than 27 minutes — is also a red flag. Given that Seacrest usually dates women much, much younger than himself, the “American Idol” host, born in 1974, might have a hard time finding a 20-something with such a structured personality.
Of course, there’s someone for everyone, so Seacrest’s better half is probably out there saying “hello” to strangers, drinking plain coffee, and getting their morning routine down to 26 minutes and 59 seconds at this very moment. She’ll also need to want children because the child-free bachelor was warming up to the idea of parenthood before he broke up with Aubrey Paige in 2024. “I do want to have kids. But I haven’t even gone down that path, which is nuts at my age,” he told WSJ Magazine in December 2021 (via People). “I think in the last year, it’s become clear to me that yes, I do want to do that…. I want to be available and present.”
A recently circulated video has reignited discussions about the level of media access within Nigeria’s presidential office, as a concerned citizen critiques the communication approach of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The video, which has gained significant traction online, features a Nigerian woman expressing her concerns over the president’s limited direct interaction with the press. Her comments have sparked widespread conversations across various social media platforms.
Concerns Over Limited Media Interaction
In her statement, the woman remarked, “President Tinubu occasionally conducts what seem like press briefings, where he speaks with people around him—likely his inner circle—applauding his every word. And that’s where it ends.”
She also highlighted what she perceives as a lack of thorough media examination, noting, “We never witness a scenario where a journalist is actively questioning him and receiving answers. There are undoubtedly many questions to be posed, yet we never see that opportunity arise.”
She went on to mention that even during the election period, the president’s media engagements were notably sparse.
She recalled, “Even during his campaign, the only interview that I can remember is the one he did with, I think CNN or BBC, I can’t remember which one exactly, but that’s the only one I can remember.”
Questions About Transparency
The speaker also referenced a missed town hall event during the campaign period, stating, “And even when there was a town hall meeting where other presidential candidates came up, he was absent. He sent a representative. Is he scared of TV interview? I don’t know, I can’t tell you.”
She stressed that since assuming office, she has not seen any instance where the president directly answers questions from journalists.
In her words, “Now he’s president, I cannot find, there is no TV interview or there is nowhere where the president is answering media questions where a journalist is asking him questions and he’s answering.”
Comparison With Global Practices
Drawing a comparison with international leaders, she said, “I mean, if you look at the United States, for example, President Trump answers questions from media. He grants TV interviews sometimes, sometimes journalists ask him questions and he answers.”
Her comments referenced former U.S. President Donald Trump as an example of a leader who regularly engages with the press.
She concluded by highlighting what she described as a communication gap, stating, “There’s this gap between the president and the media. We hear from his spokespersons… but we barely hear from the president.”
Watch the video here…
“Why Doesn’t Tinubu Grant Any TV Interviews? I’ve Never Seen Him Take a Single Question From The Media. Instead, He Holds Occasional Press Briefings Where He Just Speaks And People In The Background, His Own People, Simply Clap For Him, And That’s It.” pic.twitter.com/YttgyoOkmH
