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Zelenskyy Contends with Internal Challenges, Halts Election Plans

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly stated that conducting an election amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia poses a significant threat to national safety. His remarks came in response to a recent proposal by the former defense minister, who urged the government to organize a vote despite the circumstances.

In the midst of navigating these political challenges, Zelenskyy also revealed a new agreement with Norway, focusing on the acquisition of drones. This announcement coincided with the arrival of European dignitaries in Kyiv for discussions leading up to a crucial meeting on Monday. The gathering aims to strategize on intensifying diplomatic efforts to compel Russia to cease its aggressive actions against Ukraine.

Currently, Ukraine operates under martial law, which has led to the postponement of elections—a decision that continues to garner widespread public support. The country remains concentrated on its primary objective: defending itself against the Russian invasion that began in 2022.

Zelenskyy, alongside the persistent adversities posed by war, has previously been urged by both Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump to hold elections. However, these calls come even as Ukraine endures relentless missile and drone strikes orchestrated by Russian forces.

Addressing reporters on Saturday, Zelenskyy emphasized his stance: “I believe that in a war like this, elections as such are a huge risk,” underscoring the peril that such a political move would entail during ongoing hostilities.

“Elections right now are a tsunami for the country that will split Ukraine.

“If we want to destroy the country, then we can move in the direction of elections during these times of war,” he added.

Obstacles to a vote

Ukraine has been engulfed in a political crisis over the summer, triggered when Zelenskyy fired popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The row forced Zelenskyy to sack his commander-in-chief.

Thousands took to the streets to demand his reinstatement, while Fedorov issued blistering attacks against the army’s top brass.

Then, days ago, the ousted Fedorov made a surprise call to find a way to organise elections.

While he did not explicitly state that he wanted to challenge Zelenskyy, the shock move made even some of his supporters distance themselves.

Experts have cited a flurry of obstacles to staging elections.

They include how soldiers, millions of Ukrainian refugees and people from occupied territories would cast their ballots, as well as the threat of both interference and physical attacks from Russia.

Only 15 per cent of Ukrainians believe elections should be held before the end of hostilities, according to an opinion poll.

Zelenskyy, despite facing growing domestic criticism as the war drags on, remains largely popular.

Fedorov’s team confirmed to Agence France-Presse on Sunday that he plans to visit the US soon — a trip likely to revive speculation about whether he is positioning himself as a rival to Zelenskyy.

The former minister was a prominent backer of the drone warfare strategy that has come to dominate Ukraine’s war with Russia, and had pushed for army reforms — winning support among the public.

Missile deficit

On Sunday, several European leaders met Zelenskyy in Kyiv for a Nordic-Baltic summit.

Following individual meetings with several leaders, Zelenskyy announced a drone deal with Norway “that strengthens cooperation between our defence sectors”.

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told reporters his country had pledged 85 billion Norwegian krone ($12.5 billion) to Ukraine for next year.

On Monday, Ukraine’s independence day, the country’s key European backers will meet to discuss Ukraine’s current military problems.

Russia has intensified its strikes, using hard-to-intercept ballistic missiles that expose Ukraine’s air-defence shortfall.

Ukraine, for its part, has accelerated its own campaign of long-range strikes on Russian energy and logistics sites — including oil refineries and retail warehouses.

On Sunday it hit a warehouse belonging to Russian e-commerce giant Ozon for the second day running.

Zelenskyy said deliveries of crucial interceptor missiles for US Patriot air-defence systems — which can shoot down Russia’s ballistic missiles — had halved since 2023.

The US faces its own shortfall of the missiles amid its war on Iran and has been resistant to releasing large numbers to Ukraine.

Civilian deaths in the four-and-a-half-year-long war have surged to their highest since the first months of the invasion amid the uptick in Russian strikes, according to verified statistics from the United Nations.


Revitalize Glutes After 60: 4 Fast-Acting Wall Exercises

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Worried about sagging glutes as you hit your 60s? These four exercises against the wall will keep you firm without a single lunge.

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The glutes are composed of three key muscles: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. With age, the body naturally experiences changes such as a decrease in lean muscle mass, which can significantly affect the strength and appearance of these muscles. To maintain firmness and strength, staying active is crucial. Avoid prolonged periods of sitting, focus on a protein-rich diet for muscle growth and repair, and follow a suitable exercise regimen. To rejuvenate and tone your glutes, here are four wall exercises particularly beneficial for those over 60.

Ngo Okafor, renowned as the Founder, CEO, and Celebrity Trainer at Iconoclast Fitness, emphasizes that robust glutes offer more than just aesthetic benefits. “As we age, strong glutes are essential for walking, climbing stairs, rising from a seated position, stabilizing the pelvis, and protecting both the knees and lower back,” he shares. “The exercises I’ve selected target the glutes from multiple angles while simultaneously strengthening the thighs and hips.”

Wall Sits

Over 45? If You Can Wall Sit This Long, Your Body Beats Your Age

Wall-Supported Squats

  1. Begin standing tall with your back pressed against a wall and your hands on your hips.
  2. Activate your core.
  3. Bend your knees and slide down the wall to lower into a squat.
  4. Descend until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
  5. Press through your feet to rise back up.

If You Can Pass These 4 Strength Tests After 45, Your Body Is Ahead of Its Time

Wall-Supported Standing Hip Extensions

  1. Begin standing tall facing a wall with your feet hip-width apart.
  2. Place both hands lightly on the surface.
  3. Brace your core.
  4. Shift your body weight onto one leg and slowly kick the other leg straight behind you.
  5. Squeeze the glute of the working leg, holding for 1 second at the top.
  6. Return to the start position.
  7. Switch sides.

If You Can Do These 8 Lower-Body Moves, Your Leg Strength Is Elite

Wall-Supported Lateral Leg Raises

  1. Begin standing tall facing a wall with your hands placed lightly on the surface for support.
  2. Position your feet hip-distance apart and brace your core.
  3. Shift your body weight onto one leg.
  4. Keeping that leg straight, lift the other leg out to the side.
  5. Hold briefly at the top.
  6. Lower with control.
  7. Repeat on the other side.

Khloe Kardashian and Emma Grede Reportedly End Communication

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Rumors are swirling that Khloe Kardashian and Emma Grede, once business allies, have ceased communication. Reports have surfaced following Khloe’s decision to unfollow Emma on Instagram.

Khloe, a leading figure from the famed reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, had formed a close bond with entrepreneur Emma Grede. Emma, who hails from Britain, has been at the helm of Khloe’s distinguished clothing line, Good American.

Besides partnering with Khloe, Emma is also a founding force behind SKIMS, the clothing brand developed by Khloe’s sister, Kim Kardashian.

However, the dynamic between Khloe and Emma appears to have shifted this year. It was reported that earlier this year, Khloe made the unexpected move to unfollow Emma.

Recently, Khloe expressed that her involvement with her brand doesn’t need to be as hands-on. On her podcast, she mentioned, “Good American is thriving and has matured to a point where it can operate independently.”

In the wake of those comments a new report now suggests that with them spending much less time working together, their friendship ‘has essentially dissolved’. 

Khloe Kardashian and her business partner Emma Grede 'are no longer on speaking terms' a new report has claimed - after the reality star unfollowed her on Instagram

Khloe Kardashian and her business partner Emma Grede ‘are no longer on speaking terms’ a new report has claimed – after the reality star unfollowed her on Instagram

Keeping Up With the Kardashians star Khloe, 42, used to be close to British-born entrepreneur Emma, 43, who is the CEO of her clothing brand Good American

Keeping Up With the Kardashians star Khloe, 42, used to be close to British-born entrepreneur Emma, 43, who is the CEO of her clothing brand Good American

A source told The Sun: ‘Over time, Khloe just wasn’t as involved – she started cancelling events and not promoting the brand.

‘She has a lot on in her personal life, as fans know, but Emma is a businesswoman first and foremost and that just didn’t wash with her.

‘Khloe has so much going on and it just wasn’t a priority in her life. In theory, Khloe is still the founder of Good American but it’s Emma who does the hard work behind the scenes. I don’t think Khloe & Emma are on speaking terms now.

‘They are both smart women who realised it was time to part ways professionally, and they had to navigate it carefully so the brand wasn’t damaged as they are both heavily involved.’ 

Representatives for Khloe and Emma have been contacted by the Daily Mail for comment. 

You can read more about the beginning of the change in their friendship in our exclusive report here. 

Credited with being the brains behind the Kardashians’ various fashion companies, Emma has spent the last two decades working behind the scenes with the famous family.

Born and raised in east London and the eldest of four sisters, Emma now lives in LA, where she presides over multiple companies with an estimated combined value of £300million.

Her success however hasn’t been without controversy. 

While appearing on the Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett in May 2025, Emma was asked to share what her ‘red flags’ are when interviewing someone.

But relations appear to have taken a turn this year after earlier this year Khloe unfollowed Emma (seen with Kris Jenner)

But relations appear to have taken a turn this year after earlier this year Khloe unfollowed Emma (seen with Kris Jenner)

Emma is also the founding partner of Khloe's sister Kim's SKIMS brand (seen together in Feb 2025)

Emma is also the founding partner of Khloe’s sister Kim’s SKIMS brand (seen together in Feb 2025) 

She immediately said that she would walk out on anyone who asks her about a ‘work-life balance’. 

‘Work-life balance is your problem,’ Emma said. ‘That’s yours to figure out.’

She went on to explain that at her companies, no one is tied to their desk – people go to haircuts, appointments, things for their kids when they need to – and no one questions why someone might not be at their desk.

‘So when someone talks to me about their work-life balance in an interview process, I’m like ‘something is wrong with you,” she said.

Interviewer Bartlett then told Grede that one-third of people he surveyed mentioned that a work-life balance was a priority wherever they worked.

When Bartlett said it wasn’t something he’d personally choose for himself, Emma said that it was because he was ambitious, implying that someone without drive or passion would be thinking about a work-life balance.

She explained that it’s not expected that the average employee would be working seven days a week – but someone who has ‘ambition’ and wanted to be successful would have to work a little bit more.

While the entire interview was over two hours long, the clip of Emma speaking specifically about work-life balance went viral on social media.

Many compared Emma’s remarks to Kim’s notorious sentiment about ‘nobody [wanting] to work these days,’ which she faced flack for in 2022. 

Explosive Claims in Tupac Murder Trial: Did Diddy Offer $1 Million Bounty?

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The murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis has reignited discussions implicating Sean “Diddy” Combs in the demise of Tupac Shakur.

Shortly after the trial commenced, a retired LAPD Detective, Daryn Dupree, presented testimony before the Las Vegas jury. Dupree relayed Davis’ assertions that Combs allegedly provided financial resources, which were intended to be passed to Davis for orchestrating Shakur’s assassination.

During his testimony on August 20, Dupree stated, as captured in the court feed, “Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs was supposed to had given money to Zip Martin, to give to Mr. Davis for payment of the Tupac murder.”

The alleged amount of money involved in this transaction has been reported by ABC News as being up to $1 million.

In his August 20 testimony, LAPD Detective Daryn Dupree reiterated the claim: “Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs was supposed to had given money to Zip Martin to give to Mr. Davis for payment of the Tupac murder,” as noted in the court documentation.

However, authorities have never labeled Combs a key figure in Shakur’s death. And the mogul—currently in jail for two counts of transportation for prostitution—has also denied any involvement.

In fact, Davis’ attorney Michael Sanft said in his opening statement that his client was “full of crap” when he previously bragged about him having any involvement in Shakur’s death, according to the AP. 

made attempts to reach Sanft for comment, but were unsuccessful. 

Also on Aug. 20, jurors heard audio from a 2008 interview between Davis and detectives where he claimed his nephew Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson had fired the shots that killed Shakur, per the AP. (Anderson died from an unrelated shooting in 1998.)

After his 2023 arrest, Davis was charged with one count of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang. He pleaded not guilty. 

Prosecutors alleged Davis orchestrated the 1996 shooting of the 25-year-old rapper, providing his nephew with a gun and instructing him to fire the fatal shots as they approached a car carrying both Shakur and Suge Knight near the Las Vegas strip. 

The jury watched video of Shakur’s entourage attacking Anderson outside a boxing match at the MGM Grand hours before Shakur was shot. 

Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal said in his opening statement that Davis spent the next two hours planning an “act of revenge” for the attack. 

“Let’s be clear, Duane Davis did not pull the trigger. But he did plan the shooting in retaliation of the beating of his nephew,” Palal told the jury. “Remarkably, you will learn that from Duane Davis himself.”

Earlier in the trial, Combs was also mentioned during former Death Row Records associate James “Mob James” McDonald’s testimony as he discussed the infamous rivalry between Knight’s label and Combs’ Bad Boy Records, according to the court feed.  

McDonald claimed Shakur essentially “inherit[ed] the beef between Suge Knight and [Combs].” 

Minnesota Tree Trimmer Faces Charges After Deadly Horseplay Incident with Coworker

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In a startling case from Minnesota, a tree-trimming worker faces manslaughter charges after reportedly crushing the head of a fellow crew member using a hydraulic grapple during what has been described as horseplay on the job site.

The tragic event unfolded in Apple Valley on Thursday. As per documents from Dakota County, 34-year-old Christopher Boone Crimmins was maneuvering machinery mounted on a truck while his colleague, 26-year-old Tyler Anthony Lynch, was stationed below, busy with debris clearance.

Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement found Lynch on the ground, surrounded by “a significant amount of blood” and exhibiting severe head trauma, according to the complaint filed.

The authorities confirmed that Lynch was declared dead at the location of the incident.

Christopher Crimmins mugshot

Christopher Crimmins now stands accused of operating a boom carelessly, which allegedly led to the fatality of his coworker. (Dakota County Jail)

Authorities said Crimmins was operating a boom, a movable mechanical arm attached to a truck, when he and Lynch began messing around with their shadows.

“He and the Victim were ‘f—ing around’ and saw that the sunlight was casting shadows of both the grapple and of the Victim on the street,” the criminal complaint said.

While looking at the shadows, Crimmins allegedly maneuvered the grapple so that its shadow appeared to grab Lynch’s shadow.

However, he did not realize that the grapple itself was moving toward Lynch’s head.

hydraulic grapple grabs tree branch from high up

An employee operates a grapple to remove a tree from a residential property. A Minnesota tree-trimming worker was charged with second-degree manslaughter after allegedly crushing a coworker’s head with a hydraulic grapple while the two were horsing around with their shadows on the job. (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)

“Crimmins was not monitoring the actual grapple or Lynch. He then opened and closed the grapple, crushing Lynch’s head,” the Dakota County Attorney’s Office said.

A witness also saw the incident unfold and said the grapple appeared to “hit or pinch” Lynch’s head as it approached him.

Officers observed blood on the grapple, which was directly above Lynch, according to the complaint.

Authorities alleged Crimmins was responsible for the incident through negligence, saying he created an “unreasonable risk” and “consciously takes chances of causing death or great bodily harm to another.”

hydraulic grapple on tree

A hydraulic grapple grips a large tree branch during a tree-trimming job. (Matthias Rietschel/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Crimmins has been charged with one felony count of second-degree manslaughter. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Officials said Crimmins was being held at the Dakota County Jail. Bail was set at $40,000 without conditions or $20,000 with conditions.

Illegal Vendors Overtake Brooklyn Bridge, Impacting Vet Sellers

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The iconic Brooklyn Bridge has become overrun with unlicensed sellers peddling cheap NYC souvenirs and fruit cups. Legitimate vendors, among them disabled veterans, are finding it increasingly hard to earn a living as the illicit traders flood the area.

On Sunday, a count revealed about 42 vendors scattered across the historic landmark. In a bold move, one seller laid out an array of New York canvas bags right beneath a forbidding “no vending allowed” sign.

These unauthorized vendors offer items celebrating the Big Apple, such as $1 New York City magnets and $5 hats. In a surprising twist, a Post reporter even purchased a $1 bottle of water from an 11-year-old girl, who then directed them to her mother selling mangos further up the bridge.

Local, licensed merchants, including disabled veterans, express growing frustration as they struggle to compete with the wave of unlicensed hawkers disrupting their trade.

Sammy, a 48-year-old licensed ice cream vendor and disabled veteran, has worked near City Hall for years. He noted that while these unauthorized vendors resurfaced around October 2025, the situation spiraled out of control under Mamdani’s oversight.

“It started under Adams because he didn’t give a f–k,” he said of the end of former Mayor Eric Adams’ term.

“They’re illegal vendors. They’re there, and they’re back,” Sammy said. “They’re causing chaos. They’re costing the city money. Cops are chasing them.”

Sammy said police occasionally issue tickets, but the fines appear to do little to curb the peddlers who rack up profits by selling illegally.

The Post witnessed several sellers flee the bridge as a pair of cops patrolled the expanse.

“They give tickets, but they give little stupid $20 tickets, $50 tickets. But he’s going to make $1,000 illegally, so what’s a $20 ticket?”

The turf wars amongst the vendors have also turned violent.

Last week, Sammy was left with scratches all over his arms after breaking up a fight between mango sellers.

“They’re all fighting with each other. The illegal mango [sellers] are cutting each other up, scratching,” Sammy said.

“They were fighting. I tried to get in between them to stop them from fighting. The wife jumps on me while I’m trying to hold her husband from getting hit by the other five guys. The next thing you know, they’re all punching me and scratching me,” he added.

“I’m doing the police work, I’m doing the Parks Department work, and I’m an ice cream guy.”

In January 2024, Adams followed through on a promise to boot the “packed like sardines” vendors from the Brooklyn Bridge to the relief of pedestrians.

A rule went into effect that January to prohibit vending on pedestrian walkways and bike lanes on bridges and bridge approaches.

The regulation was slated to affect all Big Apple crossings — but was specifically created to target the Brooklyn Bridge after the 1.14-mile-long historic landmark turned into an open-air free-for-all.

But Sammy blasted Mamdani for not doing enough to stop the peddlers whose low prices he claims have forced other souvenir shops to shutter.

“It’s hurting everybody … the stores, the businesses over here. It’s hurting everybody. The people over here are all disabled veterans,” he said of the licensed vendors outside of City Hall, many of whom are unable to set up because the illegal vendors get there at the crack of dawn and “beat everyone to the spot.”

“Mamdani is new, but the [eight] months he’s been in, nothing has changed over there. The cops are not allowed to bother them, and if they arrest somebody, the DA releases them.”

A 41-year-old disabled veteran and US Marine who was discharged in 2008 also told The Post that there are now more than 100 unlicensed vendors on the bridge at times.

“Us being disabled veterans and having a license means nothing over there now because if I go over there, they’re going to kick me out. But they’re not kicking [illegal vendors] out now,” said the licensed vendor, who declined to give his name for fear of retaliation.

He claimed he went to court and the city told him he could not vend on the bridge because it was a “national security” issue.

“These people who just jumped the border, there’s no national security for them,” he said of the unlicensed vendors.

“Before they got rid of all the vendors, there were about 60 – 80 vendors…Now there’s about 120 vendors.”

“If you start from Manhattan side [of the bridge] all the way to Brooklyn side, it’s full of vendors on the floor, and they’re not confiscating nobody’s merchandise. They’re not doing any enforcement, but the moment I go over there, they want to come and harass me and take my merchandise,” he said of the NYPD.

“This is pretty much my livelihood,” he said. “We just want equal enforcement, that’s all.”

Iran Criticizes Trump’s Remarks and Issues a Strong Ultimatum

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Iran has shrugged off Donald Trump’s aggressive economic threats, labeling them as mere ’empty talk,’ while cautioning its neighboring nations against assisting the U.S. in applying pressure on Tehran.

Mohsen Rezaei, a prominent Iranian security official, has issued a stern warning of retaliation towards any neighboring country that joins the U.S. in its economic clampdown. He highlighted that Iran could potentially halt oil shipments through the vital Persian Gulf passage.

Rezaei declared, ‘If countries neighboring Iran collaborate with the Americans in the economic war, we will target their interests.’

During an interview with Iranian state media, Rezaei emphasized on Saturday that, ‘The world has realized that Trump’s bluster is nothing but empty talk.’

He further directed a strong warning towards Iran’s neighboring countries, indicating that Tehran stands poised to escalate its economic battle if those nations choose to align with Washington.

Iran does not want to expand the war across the Middle East, Rezaei insisted, but he delivered a threat to his neighbors.

‘If they start such an action, we will not allow a single drop of oil to pass through the Persian Gulf,’ Rezaei added.

Donald Trump is preparing to dramatically intensify his economic campaign against Iran, with Washington promising what Treasury Secretary has called the toughest sanctions yet

Donald Trump is preparing to dramatically intensify his economic campaign against Iran, with Washington promising what Treasury Secretary has called the toughest sanctions yet

Iran's powerful security chief Mohsen Rezaei has warned neighboring countries that helping Washington's economic crackdown could see Tehran target their interests

Iran’s powerful security chief Mohsen Rezaei has warned neighboring countries that helping Washington’s economic crackdown could see Tehran target their interests

The warning potentially puts major Gulf energy producers on notice as Trump prepares to ratchet up his campaign of economic pressure against Tehran.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have spent years developing and expanding alternative export routes that reduce their reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, allowing oil to reach ports on the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman.

But Rezaei indicated those routes may not necessarily be beyond Tehran’s reach either, threatening alternative pathways used to move Gulf oil to international markets.

His comments amount to one of the clearest warnings yet that Iran’s hardline security establishment could increasingly regard cooperation with Washington’s economic campaign as participation in the wider conflict.

Rezaei also insisted that Iran would ‘neutralize the economic war’ being waged by the US, with the Trump administration expected to unveil details of tougher sanctions on Monday.

The combative rhetoric comes amid growing indications of a potentially serious split at the highest levels of power in Tehran.

While Rezaei is promising resistance and threatening retaliation, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a dramatically different tone on Sunday, declaring that his country ‘cannot continue with war forever.’

Pezeshkian openly defended the memorandum of understanding Iran reached with the United States in June, despite reported reservations from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has struck a markedly different tone from Tehran's hardliners, arguing that Iran cannot remain at war indefinitely

President Masoud Pezeshkian has struck a markedly different tone from Tehran’s hardliners, arguing that Iran cannot remain at war indefinitely

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends an event to mark the first day of the 'Government Week' at the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, on Sunday

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends an event to mark the first day of the ‘Government Week’ at the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, on Sunday

That agreement ultimately collapsed last month.

But the Iranian president argued that Tehran cannot remain indefinitely trapped between outright conflict and an elusive peace.

‘One day, a decision must be made to save the country from the state of “neither war nor peace,”‘ Pezeshkian said.

He maintained that officials directly involved in negotiations believed the agreement with Washington had offered Iran its best available path forward.

‘By implementing this memorandum, we can resolve the problems with logic and dignity,’ Pezeshkian said, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA.

Pezeshkian made clear Sunday that military strength alone could not protect the Islamic Republic if its people lost faith in their government.

‘We must stand with the people,’ he said. ‘If we cannot serve them and convince them that we all belong to the same land and country, then even if we possess the greatest military power, we will be defeated.’

The president said his government was fighting to improve the lives of Iranians battered by the country’s economic difficulties.

It was trying with all its strength, he said, to ‘steer inflation, public problems, people’s livelihoods, people’s jobs, people’s future, and people’s lives towards dignity and pride.’

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the heart of the confrontation, with Iran effectively blockading the strategic waterway and severely disrupting global oil shipments

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the heart of the confrontation, with Iran effectively blockading the strategic waterway and severely disrupting global oil shipments

Tehran is now threatening to stop oil traffic through the Persian Gulf if neighboring countries help Washington enforce its escalating economic campaign

Tehran is now threatening to stop oil traffic through the Persian Gulf if neighboring countries help Washington enforce its escalating economic campaign

‘Sometimes, a wise compromise can achieve more than hundreds of wars,’ Khomeini said.

But Rezaei’s comments suggest Iran’s powerful military-security establishment is preparing for precisely the opposite possibility.

The former senior military commander said Iran would introduce new capabilities and alter its approach across several fronts.

‘We will see changes in the conduct of the war, in diplomacy, and in political and social affairs, and new capabilities will be brought into play,’ he said.

Rezaei, an adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei, also declared that Tehran would refuse to bow to US demands and maintained that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until Washington fulfilled what Iran considers its commitments.

The strait has become one of Tehran’s most powerful weapons in its showdown with Washington because of its enormous importance to the global energy trade.

But there are signs that Iran’s ability to exert pressure through the waterway could be challenged.

Shipping data indicates more crude is now leaving the Gulf using a southern route close to Oman, while some oil companies have developed tactics designed to allow tankers to make the journey without being detected.

That threatens to erode some of the leverage Tehran has exercised by restricting one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors.

Gainesville Nursing Assistant Faces Charges for Isolating Vulnerable Resident at Tacachale

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a troubling development, Ma’chir Damarius Miller, aged 21, faces charges for the false imprisonment of a resident at the Tacachale facility, accused of restricting the individual’s movement within their room.

Prompted by a complaint from the Department of Children and Families, the Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit launched an investigation. The complaint alleged that Miller unlawfully confined a Medicaid recipient living at the Tacachale Center in a room, sparking serious concerns.

Miller, employed as a Residential Unit Specialist on December 20, 2025, found himself placed on administrative leave the very next day, leading to his resignation on December 23, painting a grim picture of the incident’s aftermath.

The situation came to light when a nurse at Tacachale noticed an unusual situation while distributing medication in the victim’s building. Disturbed by a loud banging, she discovered a gait belt securing the victim’s bedroom door to a handrail, effectively trapping the resident inside. Upon questioning, Miller confessed he had used the belt, but intriguingly, he declined to disclose his identity immediately. Thankfully, the nurse reported that the resident appeared unharmed and untroubled during the ordeal.

In discussions with a Tacachale investigator, Miller admitted to using the gait belt, explaining that he had acted under pressure, worried the resident might disrupt the medication distribution process. To ensure the victim was uninjured, he claimed to have spent approximately 10 minutes with him after the incident, a claim that adds another layer to the unfolding narrative.

The training manager at Tacachale reportedly provided records showing that Miller had attended training on the facility’s policies, and she said that confining a resident to his room was not consistent with the training or authority of Miller.

State investigators attempted to contact Miller by phone, but he did not respond; they went to his listed address, where an elderly woman reportedly said nobody named Ma’chir Miller lived at that address and she did not know who he was. Investigators photographed the tags of several cars parked in the driveway at that address, and one of them was registered to Miller. The investigators went back to the same address on a different date, and a different woman answered the door and reportedly said Miller lived there but was not home.

A sworn complaint was filed on August 12, and a warrant for Miller’s arrest was issued the same day; he was arrested on August 18.

Miller has been charged with false imprisonment. He is on pre-trial release in Orange County for making a written threat to kill and aggravated assault with a firearm; he also has an active warrant for violating his release conditions in Orange County. Judge William Davis set bail at $100,000, but Miller’s attorney has filed a motion requesting his release on his own recognizance and stating that he is currently employed as a CNA. That hearing is scheduled for August 27.

Garbage Landslide Tragedy: Over 30 Dead as Rescuers Race to Find Survivors

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In a tragic turn of events, a catastrophic landslide claimed the lives of at least 30 individuals in Guinea on Sunday. The disaster unfurled when a towering open-air landfill, resting in a mountainous terrain, succumbed to collapse, entombing a cluster of shanties beneath a crushing deluge of garbage.

The landslide unfolded at Dar Es Salam, Conakry’s largest waste disposal site, situated in the heart of Guinea’s bustling capital. This somber event was initially reported by The Associated Press, shedding light on the precarious living conditions adjacent to the vast dump.

As detailed by Guinea News, the sheer weight of the accumulated waste exerted such immense pressure that it led to the collapse of a nearby three-story structure. Reports highlight the devastating consequences of the landfill’s overbearing load.

Compounding the tragedy, local authorities pointed to torrential rains that drenched the region overnight, exacerbating the already perilous conditions at the dump site. This interplay of natural elements and human error underscores the dire need for improved waste management strategies.

excavator on top of landfill

In the aftermath, both community members and rescue teams could be seen utilizing excavators in a desperate search for survivors amid the debris at Dar Es Salam, Conakry, following the landslide on August 23, 2026. (AFP via Getty Images)

Six people were seriously injured and several homes were destroyed in the incident, according to reports. Officials launched a search-and-rescue operation to find any survivors.

The AP reported that the landfill was originally scheduled to close Sunday after officials warned of hazardous conditions, citing Lt. Col. Baldé Mamadou Bailo, the sanitation officer for the military engineering battalion.

The decision followed reports of a similar incident at the landfill in recent years, raising concerns about its safety.

excavator operated by multiple people at landfill

Thirty people were killed and six others seriously injured after a landslide struck the Dar Es Salam dumpsite in Conakry, Guinea, on Aug. 23, 2026. (AFP via Getty Images)

As a precautionary measure, residents who lived near the site had also been given eviction notices and were forced to vacate the area, the AP said.

However, many people remained nearby at the time of the disaster, according to reports.

dozens of people at landfill with excavator

The Dar Es Salam landfill collapsed following heavy overnight rain in Conakry, Guinea, on Aug. 23, 2026. (AFP via Getty Images)

“We will ensure that the remaining families are relocated elsewhere,” Dienabou Touré, the minister of territorial administration and decentralization, said at the scene, according to the AP.

Reuters reported that the landfill suffered a similar incident in 2017, when torrential rains caused a mudslide that killed at least eight people.

Sparks’ Dearica Hamby Ejected Over Controversial On-Court Elbow Incident

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In a dramatic turn of events during Saturday’s showdown between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Connecticut Sun, Sparks forward Dearica Hamby found herself ejected from the game. The surprising dismissal came after she received a Flagrant 2 foul for hitting Sun rookie Raegan Beers in the face with an elbow.

The contentious incident unfolded with 8:39 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, amidst the Sparks’ eventual triumph, which ended with a 77-68 scoreline.

During the play, Hamby’s elbow made striking contact with Beers’ face. Officials paused the game to meticulously review the footage, ultimately deciding on a Flagrant 2—an infraction that necessitates an automatic expulsion from the court.

Examining the sequence more closely, it becomes evident that Beers had struck Hamby in the stomach moments before the retaliatory elbow was thrown.

The incident resonated beyond the court, with a spectator later tagging Hamby in a social media post on X. The fan urged, “Is this the example you’re leaving for your kid? Be a better example. I love you. Don’t react like that again, ok.”

Hamby replied, “If somebody intentionally punch my kid in her ribs/ stomach I hope she does more than that!!!!!!”

Neither Hamby nor Beers returned to the game, as the latter exited with a jaw injury following the foul.

Hamby finished the game with 10 points, five rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes of play, as the Sparks recorded win No. 13 of the year.

Hamby shot 2-for-2 from the field and added a 6-for-8 performance on free throws prior to her ejection.

The Flagrant 2 also puts Hamby in line for a $1,000 fine under the WNBA’s flagrant foul system.

The Flagrant 2 is Hamby’s first of the season.

Hamby has enjoyed a quality individual season, averaging 14.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

A three-time WNBA All-Star, the 32-year-old forward finished ninth in WNBA MVP voting last season.

The Sparks led by as many as 22 points and entered the fourth quarter ahead 66-46.

The Sun outscored them 22-11 in the final period, while the Sparks went scoreless over the final 6:12.

The early advantage was enough for them to hold on for the nine-point victory.

Rae Burrell led the Sparks with 20 points, while Nneka Ogwumike finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.