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Zelensky’s Bold Strategy Captures Trump’s Attention in Private Oval Office Meeting Following Iran Response

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In a noteworthy diplomatic engagement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky convened with former U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday for an hour-long dialogue. This meeting signifies a warming in their diplomatic ties after last year’s frosty exchange.

The closed-door session highlighted Zelensky’s ongoing quest for crucial U.S. backing as Ukraine counters Russian aggression. This pursuit is made even more critical amidst a volatile nexus between European conflicts and Middle Eastern tensions.

According to sources like the Wall Street Journal, Trump reportedly views Zelensky’s intensifying military stance against Russia favorably. With more Ukrainian fighters entering the fray, this approach seems to have left a strong impression.

Following their encounter, Zelensky took to social media platform X to express his satisfaction with the dialogue. He described the interaction with Trump as a ‘good meeting’ and shed light on their discussions behind closed doors.

‘The President and I talked about licenses for producing Patriot interceptors as well as additional ideas that may assist,’ Zelensky stated. He emphasized the necessity of reinvigorating diplomatic efforts, noting that their respective teams are already planning the logistics for their next meeting.

A White House source says the pair discussed anti-ballistic defense systems and Ukraine’s defense needs. Another Ukrainian source in the room says the Trump-Zelensky bilateral meeting today was ‘very practical’ and that they’ve discussed ‘renewed diplomatic efforts’.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt added that their meeting was ‘positive and productive’.

Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that pictures of the leaders show a remarkable shift in their energies from their explosive Oval Office sit-down last year.

Zelensky met with President Trump inside the Oval Office Tuesday for an hour as their relationship continues to defrost following an icy encounter last year

Zelensky met with President Trump inside the Oval Office Tuesday for an hour as their relationship continues to defrost following an icy encounter last year

Both look open, with their arms hanging at their sides and their eye contact greeting the press cameras, said the body language expert

Both look open, with their arms hanging at their sides and their eye contact greeting the press cameras, said the body language expert 

She said Trump appears to be ‘agreeable’ as Zelensky shows signs of ‘energy and soft dominance’.

The two men stand side by side looking straight at the camera and remarkably twinned in terms of their ‘intentional’ poses, she said. Both look open, with their arms hanging at their sides and their eye contact greeting the press cameras.

‘Their proximity signals some kind of like-minded agreement as they are close enough for their arms to touch,’ she went on. 

Although she added that there are cues that Zelensky holds ‘more of the cards now than before’ compared to the dramatic prior White House meeting that ended in chaos. 

Trump’s smile shows that he’s ‘happy with the Ukrainian leader’ this time. 

Ukrainians are now reportedly expecting Trump’s special envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Kyiv to follow up after the meeting. 

The US has spent $175 billion in Ukraine’s four-and-a-half-year war with Russia, an amount that has occasionally frustrated the President.

The White House meeting between the two Presidents follows a dramatic weekend strike in which Ukrainian long-range capabilities targeted an Iranian vessel operating in the Caspian Sea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Donald Trump at the Oval Office this morning as their relationship continues to defrost following an icy encounter back in February of last year

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Donald Trump at the Oval Office this morning as their relationship continues to defrost following an icy encounter back in February of last year

Their meeting comes as the Ukrainian leader seeks to shore up vital American support for his country’s defense while navigating a volatile escalation connecting the war in Europe to conflict in the Middle East

Their meeting comes as the Ukrainian leader seeks to shore up vital American support for his country’s defense while navigating a volatile escalation connecting the war in Europe to conflict in the Middle East

Kyiv stated the ship was transporting military cargo and drone components destined for Russian forces, emphasizing its necessity in disrupting the deepening defense alliance between Moscow and Tehran.

Tehran forcefully condemned the strike, claiming the ship was a commercial vessel, confirming the death of one sailor, and warning that the attack would not go unanswered.

The incident highlights the growing overlap between the war in Ukraine and broader regional instability in the Middle East.

Zelensky enters the meeting looking to secure advanced defensive hardware and air defense systems from the United States, positioning Kyiv’s military actions as critical to countering shared threats posed by the Russia-Iran strategic axis.

Trump, who has pushed for an end to the conflict while managing surrounding Middle Eastern diplomatic crises, is weighing Ukraine’s requests against broader regional stability.  

After Zelensky acknowledged the weekend attack on Iran’s ship, Iran’s foreign minister weighed in.

In a post to X, Abbas Araghchi said: ‘Zelensky has attacked an Iranian commercial vessel, killing a sailor.

‘A blatant UN Charter violation done at Israel’s behest to drag Europe into its war. In calls with EU High Rep [sic] [Kaja] Kallas and [Russian] FM [Sergei] Lavrov, made clear that what the freeloader in Kyiv did CANNOT GO UNANSWERED.’

Zelensky arrives at the White House for a meeting with Trump

Zelensky arrives at the White House for a meeting with Trump

A White House source says the pair discussed anti-ballistic defense systems and Ukraine's defense needs. Another Ukrainian source in the room says the Trump-Zelensky bilateral meeting today was ‘very practical' and that they’ve discussed ‘renewed diplomatic efforts'

A White House source says the pair discussed anti-ballistic defense systems and Ukraine’s defense needs. Another Ukrainian source in the room says the Trump-Zelensky bilateral meeting today was ‘very practical’ and that they’ve discussed ‘renewed diplomatic efforts’

Zelensky has tried to present Ukraine as a provider rather than simply a recipient of military assistance

Zelensky has tried to present Ukraine as a provider rather than simply a recipient of military assistance

Tehran decried the attack on its vessel as an act of aggression. It said it would defend its national interests and security, while accusing Kyiv of seeking to expand the war in Ukraine.

This came after Zelensky said on Saturday he would share evidence with the US showing Russia is assisting Iran in targeting US bases in the Middle East through satellite surveillance.  

The relationship between Zelenskyy and Trump has noticeably warmed since their rocky Oval Office meeting roughly 17 months ago in February 2025 that erupted into an unprecedented public shouting match.

This came after Zelensky said on Saturday he would share evidence with the US showing Russia is assisting Iran in targeting US bases in the Middle East through satellite surveillance.

During that tense confrontation, Trump and Vice President JD Vance chastised Zelenskyy in front of reporters, calling him ‘ungrateful’ and ‘disrespectful’ over billions in American assistance, warning that he was ‘gambling with millions of lives’.

He also told him bluntly that Ukraine ‘didn’t have the cards’ without US support.

Since then, the personal dynamics between the two leaders have steadily improved through several diplomatic encounters, including constructive sit-downs on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France in June and at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey earlier this month.

‘We’ve actually developed a good relationship! Hard to believe, right? From the Oval Office to now,’ the president said during his sit-down with Ukraine’s leader earlier this month.

He even said that he would be willing to visit Ukraine ‘at the right time.’ 

Trump has increasingly praised their dialogue as ‘very good,’ signaling openness to supplying advanced American defense technology like Patriot missile systems and publicly urged that Moscow ‘should make a deal’ to end the war.

After their Oval Office meeting, Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are set to attend the funeral of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham at the Washington National Cathedral.

Netanyahu is also meeting with Trump in the Oval Office after the Ukrainian President.

Camille Kostek Criticizes Body-Shamers in Bold Statement

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Sports Illustrated sensation and ex-NFL cheerleader Camille Kostek has delivered a strong rebuttal to online body-shamers, making it crystal clear that she won’t tolerate any negativity.

This week, Kostek, at 34 years old, turned to TikTok to broadcast a message to her critics. In a video zooming in on her face, she took a stand with noticeable poise.

Covering her mouth with her hands, she added a striking message in text, expressing her frustration: ‘Me wondering when I’m going to stop opening my phone to losers having conversations about my body.’

The model, who is romantically involved with former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski, did not hold back in her video’s caption either, delivering a sharp retort to those critics.

‘Go outside and get some sun!!’ she stated, emphasizing her disdain for the negativity directed her way.

In the comments section, many left her messages of support, as one person even claimed that she was the ‘hottest woman’ that they’d ever seen.

‘You are prob one of the most naturally pretty girls alive right now. Who cares,’ one person wrote.

Another agreed, ‘Literally the hottest woman on the PLANET!!!!!!’

Kostek, 34, took to TikTok this week to share a video for her haters, as she filmed a close-up of her face. She is seen here in 2026

Kostek, 34, took to TikTok this week to share a video for her haters, as she filmed a close-up of her face. She is seen here in 2026

In the comments section, many left her messages of support, as one person even claimed that she was the 'hottest woman' that they'd ever seen, as she's seen here walking the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show in July 2022

In the comments section, many left her messages of support, as one person even claimed that she was the ‘hottest woman’ that they’d ever seen, as she’s seen here walking the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show in July 2022

‘If I could pick a perfect body for myself it would be yours. They can all F off,’ someone else typed.

Kostek’s TikTok video comes just a few months after she appeared on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway in late May.

She also starred in the 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue, posing for a sexy photoshoot in Botswana.

Kostek posed in multiple bikinis, leaving little to the imagination.

However, this isn’t the first time that Kostek has hit back at body-shamers in recent years.

In 2019, she responded to haters who told her that she looked ‘gross’ and should ‘cover up’ after she posted a photo of herself sporting a skimpy neon green bikini while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas. 

At the time, she took to Instagram on Wednesday to address the cruel comments about her body that she received in response to the image she shared on social media.

‘I can’t begin to explain how many rude comments I got after I posted this photo about my body. But for the women who I was able to help love who they are more from it, I post without hesitation for myself and for YOU,’ Kostek wrote.

Kostek's TikTok video comes just a few months after she appeared on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway in late May

Kostek’s TikTok video comes just a few months after she appeared on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway in late May

In a series of videos, Kostek opened up about how her bikini photo ‘sparked an uproar of opinions’ about her body – both good and bad.

‘I’ve been sitting on this for a few days, deciding if I was going to share this, and I decided that I’m going to share a little bit of the things that I had seen,’ she said, before posting screengrabs of some of the nasty comments she received on social media.

One person called Kostek’s photo ‘gross,’ while another said she has ‘the largest hip bones’ he had ever seen, among other cruel comments. 

The former NFL cheerleader went on to share a video of herself crying over the comments, explaining in the caption: ‘I was having a weak moment and allowed some of these comments get to me that night.’

She said she had never filmed herself crying before that moment, but she was happy to have the footage to look back on and see how ‘rattled’ she was by the comments.

In 2019, she responded to haters who told her that she looked 'gross' and should 'cover up' after she posted a photo of herself sporting a skimpy neon green bikini while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas with Rob Gronkowski

In 2019, she responded to haters who told her that she looked ‘gross’ and should ‘cover up’ after she posted a photo of herself sporting a skimpy neon green bikini while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas with Rob Gronkowski

‘I’m also able to look at that and see myself in so much pain and realize that that was just a small moment in time — and by people I don’t give a f**k about,’ she said.

Kostek explained that while her Instagram page is filled with photos from ‘great times’ in her life and ‘beautiful places’ she has visited, she has days where she gets upset too.

The former New England Patriots cheerleader noted that she doesn’t usually ‘read into any of this,’ but she is happy she did this time.

‘It helps me grow. It helps me have thicker skin, helps remind me what’s important in life, who’s important in life,’ she said.

‘I’m just coming on here and sharing my story from one time because we are our own biggest critics,’ she added.

Netanyahu and Zelenskyy Hold Individual Talks with Trump at the White House

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On a momentous Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu each held separate meetings with President Donald Trump. These crucial discussions unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the upheaval in Ukraine.

Both leaders are also anticipated to attend the funeral of the recently deceased Sen. Lindsey Graham, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this month, adding a poignant undertone to their visit.

These meetings with President Trump come at a critical juncture. With U.S. strategies on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict in a state of transition, Zelenskyy and Netanyahu are eager to advance their respective national agendas.

Senator Graham, known for his unwavering support of Israel and his vocal criticism of Iran, had met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv mere hours before his sudden demise. He was in the midst of promoting a Senate proposal designed to intensify sanctions on Russia.

Netanyahu faces a delicate balancing act

Boost Ankle Strength Fast with 4 Essential Daily Exercises for Seniors Over 60

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Too often, ankle strength is overlooked.

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This joint, which sees daily action, is where the talus connects your calf and shin bones, linking your lower leg to your foot. Strong ankles are pivotal for maintaining your mobility, balance, and stability. They facilitate everyday actions like walking, running, climbing, and even standing with ease.

“Typically, we perceive the ankle as a secondary concern. However, it’s not an auxiliary part of the balance system; it plays a fundamental role,” explains Terry Tateossian, Founder and Certified Lifestyle Medicine Coach at THOR – The House of Rose. With extensive expertise in women’s health and midlife weight management, Tateossian shares, “When a balance waver begins, your ankle reacts first. The swift micro adjustments of your foot and lower leg stabilize you before larger hip muscles engage. Poor ankle stability leads to problems: lowered foot clearance, compromised lateral stability and mobility, a shorter stride which heightens fall risk, and reduced steadiness on stairs.”

Ultimately, robust ankles are key to enjoying a dynamic and self-reliant lifestyle. To quickly restore ankle strength, consider incorporating the following four exercises into your daily regimen.

Heel Raises With Counter Touch

“Heel raises are a direct exercise for calf strength and posterior ankle stability, which helps strengthen the calf muscles as they are the fastest muscle to atrophy in the body after 60 years old,” Tateossian tells us.

  1. Begin standing tall, facing a counter with your hands lightly resting on the surface for support.
  2. Place your feet hip-width apart.
  3. Slowly rise onto the balls of your feet.
  4. Hold at the top for 1 second.
  5. Slowly lower back down.
  6. Perform 3 sets of 15 to 20 reps, Tempo 3010. Rest for 60 seconds between sets.

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

Toe Raises

“This is an exercise that is highly underrated, but it’s one I would recommend the most. It trains the tibialis anterior—on the front side of the shin—which is what we use during walking. As we age, and this muscle weakens, the foot starts to drop slightly, and the toes catch on carpets or curbs, which creates tripping hazards for people.  Some of the falls I’ve seen in older adults could be very much preventable with daily toe raises,” Tateossian shares.

  1. Begin standing with your back a few inches from a wall.
  2. Keep your heels planted on the floor.
  3. Lift your toes and the balls of your feet off the ground as high as you’re able to.
  4. Slowly lower.
  5. Perform 3 sets of 15 to 20 reps, Tempo 3010. Rest for 60 seconds between sets.

4 Classic Exercises That Reverse Aging Faster Than Cardio

Single-Leg Balance Hold

“This exercise directly trains proprioception, which is the sense of where our bodies are in space. It helps prevent falls, which is the number one injury for people over 60,” Tateossian explains.

  1. Begin standing near a countertop for balance.
  2. Lift one foot slightly off the ground.
  3. Hold your balance on the standing leg for about 15 to 30 seconds.
  4. Perform 3 sets per side.

Ankle Alphabets

“This is simple enough to do daily, and it moves the ankle through its full range of motion in every direction. The muscles targeted here are the ones that prevent sideways ankle rolls, which are the most serious cause of ankle injuries in adults over 60,” Tateossian points out.

  1. Begin sitting tall in a chair.
  2. Lift one foot off the ground.
  3. Slowly draw the letters of the alphabet in the air with your big toe.
  4. Switch sides.

Audio Reveals ‘Loud Bang’ Before TikTok Influencer’s Mysterious Death Following Revelation About Husband

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A harrowing 911 call captured the sound of “a woman screaming and crying” moments before TikTok influencer Sara Gilson was allegedly murdered by her husband. This tragic event occurred shortly after Gilson publicly accused him of being a pedophile on social media.

Known online as Sara Duffey, Gilson made explosive claims against her husband several weeks ago. On July 23, authorities in Owasso, Oklahoma, responding to a domestic violence call discovered the lifeless bodies of Sara and her husband, Jeremiah Shawn Duffey. The case is now being treated as a murder-suicide by investigators.

In the dispatch audio procured by News Media, the dispatcher is heard saying, “I’m trying to reach him back, but I could hear a female in the background screaming and crying,” painting a chilling picture of the scene.

Split image showing a woman with long blonde hair in a white zip-up jacket on the left and a man in a white cap and gray tank top on the right.

Influencer Sara Gilson, who went by Sara Duffey online, was found dead alongside her estranged husband, Jeremiah Shawn Duffey, in a suspected murder-suicide, according to Owasso, Oklahoma police. (TikTok/@mrsgilson and @duffdaddy1)

The dispatcher also noted hearing “some sort of loud bang in the background.” Officials had been attempting to track down Jeremiah Shawn Duffey amid the serious allegations that had been made against him.

While discussing the call for help, the dispatcher appeared to reference the husband, saying “a male that we were looking for a few weeks ago after he got caught kissing a juvenile.”

A child inside the house called 911 and told the dispatcher “his step-father had shot his mother,” according to KTUL.

Sara Gilson faces the camera while a text overlay reads:

Gilson posted a TikTok video, following the format of a popular trend, in which she alleged her estranged husband was a “pedophile.” (TikTok/ @mrsgilson)

On July 11, before she was found dead, Sara Duffey posted a TikTok captioned, “Preparing for when Netflix drops a documentary about my soon to be ex husband who I just found out is a pedophile.”

Sara Duffey’s ex-husband, Lyle Landers, told People he had “begged” her to leave the man.

“She had been stuck in a relationship where domestic abuse seemed ‘OK’ ” Landers said. “I had begged her for five years to get away from him. I had offered to help her, in any way I could, to get away from him. But he seemed to have some sort of control over her, and she couldn’t seem to get away.”

“She was a wonderful mother and would die for her children. In fact, her trying to protect children is what ultimately led to her death,” Landers said.

Sara Gilson sits while a text overlay reads:

Gilson had recently filed a protective order against Duffey and posted a video accusing him of sexual misconduct involving a minor. (TikTok/ @mrsgilson)

A parent and child reported Jeremiah Shawn Duffey, a basketball coach, to Owasso Police on June 9, accusing him of touching a female child during a school event.

Police said Duffey had faced similar accusations before. He was accused of lewd molestation of a minor, and the case was referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Following the alleged incident, Sara Duffey filed an emergency protective order barring him from the home.

Another woman filed a separate protective order against Duffey that same day, alleging he had been seen “kissing and fondling” her 15-year-old daughter, a player on the youth basketball team he coached, according to The Oklahoman.

The outlet reported that he gave the girl money “to keep her quiet.”

Kris Jenner’s Mom MJ Shannon’s Cause of Death at 91 Disclosed

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The official cause of death for Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon, Kris Jenner’s mother, was acute cardiopulmonary arrest, according to reports.

Shannon’s passing was further influenced by acute respiratory failure and ongoing metastatic lung cancer, conditions she had been battling for several months before her demise, as indicated by the death certificate acquired by Us Weekly.

Shannon, aged 91, passed away at a hospital in Los Angeles on July 16, with her cremation following on July 23. The certificate notes that no autopsy was conducted.

Kris Jenner and her mother, Mary Jo Campbell, embracing and smiling.

Kris Jenner’s mom Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon’s cause of death was acute cardiopulmonary arrest. krisjenner/Instagram

Mary Jo Campbell sitting in a chair, wearing a cream pantsuit, straw hat with a pink ribbon, sunglasses, and a pearl necklace.

The 91-year-old suffered from several other health conditions leading up to her passing, per her death certificate. CPR / Dsanchez / BACKGRID

Previously, Page Six shared that Jenner took to Instagram on July 16 to share the news of her mother’s passing with a heartfelt post.

“Today, we said goodbye to my beautiful Mommy MJ. 😞💔,” the manager expressed in her emotional message, adding, “There are no words that could ever capture what she has meant to me or the heartbreak of having to say goodbye.”

Jenner, 70, credited her mother “the heart of [their] family.”

“She showed us how to love unconditionally and how to find joy in the little moments,” Jenner went on. “She showed me how to face life’s challenges with resilience and faith.”

In her emotional tribute, Jenner also thanked her mom for “every sacrifice [she] made, every piece of wisdom [she] shared, and every moment [she] loved [the family] so completely.”

Story developing…

Wisconsin Tornado Unleashes 20-Minute Trail of Destruction: A Community’s Resilient Recovery Story

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — In a dramatic 20-minute assault on northeastern Wisconsin, a tornado tore through the region, wreaking havoc on homes, tossing vehicles, and bringing down power lines, leaving a scene of near-total devastation in its wake.

Miraculously, there have been no fatalities or disappearances reported following the tornado’s destructive path on Monday through the Fox Cities, including Appleton, Menasha, and Neenah, located about 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee. Although the authorities haven’t disclosed the number of injuries, eyewitnesses recounted stories of people being pulled from debris-laden buildings, visibly injured and distressed.

According to the National Weather Service’s briefing on Tuesday, this tornado landed in the early afternoon and relentlessly carved its way through 12 miles of land, offering a grim reminder of nature’s unpredictability despite prior warnings issued for residents to seek safety.

As it cut a swath across neighborhoods, the tornado dismantled roofs of both homes and businesses, overturned cars, sheared trees to stumps, and downed power lines. Consequently, over 15,000 residents in Winnebago and Outagamie counties experienced blackouts that may endure for several days, based on reports from PowerOutage.us.

In response to the widespread structural damage, shelters have opened their doors to house displaced families. Additionally, a segment of Fox Crossing’s water system, affected by pressure loss, prompted authorities to issue a boil water advisory, urging residents to safeguard their health.

“All indications are that this was a devastating system that has caused extensive damage,” said Tom Nelson, the Outagamie County executive.

It was a relatively powerful twister

The twister was spun off by a large storm system that moved through the Great Lakes, fueled by a buildup of heat and humidity, the weather service said.

Weather service officials were assessing the damage Tuesday, said Roy Eckberg, an agency meteorologist.

“To get that kind of tornado is pretty rare in northeast Wisconsin, but they do happen from time to time,” he said, adding that it was unusual that the twister moved southward instead of to the east or northeast.

Preliminary data indicates it was an EF3, meaning it packed winds of 136-165 mph (219-266 kph), the weather service said.

Residents describe terrifying moments as tornado barreled through

Heather Schroeder said she heard cracking and popping all around her as the twister tore apart a laundromat, bakery and tavern along a street corner in Menasha.

Rescue workers pulled someone out of one of the buildings and it wasn’t clear if they had survived, said Schroeder, who works nearby. Cars were turned upside-down, and there was a gas leak at the laundromat, she said.

“There’s nothing left,” Schroeder said.

Aerial video Tuesday showed homes in Menasha without roofs or that had been completely hollowed out.

Greg Van Driest was working in downtown Appleton when the sky got as dark as night.

“The word we all were using was ‘ominous,’” he said. “It’s like, ‘Whoa, look at that.’ … You looked outside and you thought it was three in the morning, it was that dark.”

Gordon Hintz, Winnebago County’s top elected official, said he received multiple reports of buildings destroyed and vehicles overturned. All storm warnings that could be made ahead of time to get people to safety were activated, he said.

“Obviously when you look at the damage, Mother Nature doesn’t really care,” he said.

___

Mayes-Osterman reported from Chicago and Seewer from Toledo, Ohio. Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut; Christopher L. Keller in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Laura Turbay in Little Rock, Arkansas; Sophie Bates in Jackson, Mississippi; Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City; and Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this report.

Dark Secrets Revealed: Parents Aware of Pop Singer’s Relationship with Teen Before Grisly Chainsaw Dismemberment

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In the shocking case surrounding the tragic death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, unsettling details have surfaced during courtroom testimonies. Found lifeless and dismembered in a Tesla owned by rising singer David “D4vd” Burke, it has emerged that Hernandez’s interactions with the accused were not entirely hidden from her parents.

Court proceedings uncovered that her parents took decisive actions to end their daughter’s connection with Burke, as stated by the prosecutors. Measures included confiscating Celeste’s phone and alerting authorities when she disappeared from home. However, Burke allegedly circumvented their efforts by offering $1,000 to a high school student to deliver a replacement phone to Hernandez.

As the preliminary hearing, lasting a week, draws to a close, compelling evidence from text messages was presented by Detective Corey Ferrel of the Los Angeles Police Department. These exchanges between Hernandez and Burke were highlighted on Monday, as reported by FOX 11 Los Angeles.

d4vd wears black Chanel sunglasses, diamond stud earrings, white gold diamond choker, silver Chrome hearts necklace, black silver floral beaded oversized Amiri blazer jacket, black baggy trouser pants, shiny black boots leather shoes,

Seen at the Paris Fashion Week Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 event on June 26, 2025, David “D4vd” Burke has been charged with the murder of the young teenager in Los Angeles. (Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

However, in a twist, Burke’s legal team contended that Hernandez’s family had granted approval for at least some of their interactions. To support this, they produced a signed document from Celeste’s parents permitting her to travel to London with Burke, according to reports. Additionally, it was noted that Celeste’s sister accompanied them on a trip to Las Vegas. In several text messages, Hernandez allegedly misrepresented her age to Burke, claiming to be both 16 and 18.

The judge ultimately accepted the prosecution’s case and cleared a path to trial. Burke could face the death penalty if convicted, although California has a moratorium on carrying out capital punishment. Prosecutors have not yet made the decision on whether they will seek it.

Burke is accused of killing Celeste two days before his debut album was released — after prosecutors say she threatened to expose him as a child molester when he turned his attention toward other females.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez

Photographs, intimate notes, and flowers are among the items left at a memorial on Thursday for slain teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was found dead in the trunk of a Tesla in a Hollywood tow yard on Sept. 25, 2025 in Lake Elsinore, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

“D4vd allegedly squandered his fame and fortune by brutally killing a young girl because he feared their illicit sexual relationship would ruin his aspiring career,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. “The only headlines that will accompany his stage name from here forward will be about the vicious murder of a young girl.”

mugshot of D4vd

Mugshot of D4vd, who is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of a 14-year-old girl. (Los Angeles County District Attorney)

According to prosecutors, Burke invited Celeste to his home in Hollywood Hills on April 23, 2025. They said an Uber dropped her off, and that was the last time she was seen alive.

The next morning, Burke sat for a radio interview about his forthcoming album and then began a series of what prosecutors allege were suspicious online purchased — a shove, three chainsaws, a body bag and a blue kiddie pool. Some of the items were ordered using an alias, according to the Los Angeles DA’s Office.

Burke is accused of stabbing Celeste to death shortly after she arrived, then dismembering her with a chainsaw in the pool in his garage, where investigators allegedly found DNA consistent with the victim’s.

d4vdperforms during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival Weekend

Singer D4vd arrested in Los Angeles in connection to the murder of a 14-year-old girl found in a Tesla trunk, police say. (Photo by Timothy Norris/Getty Images for Coachella)

Then on Sept. 8, 2025, Burke’s abandoned Tesla was impounded, and police found Celeste’s decomposing remains inside, according to prosecutors. There were fragments of the pool plastic “embedded” in her remains.

Burke is due back in court on Aug. 31 for an arraignment hearing.

European Wildfires: Urgent Travel Alert Issued for Aussie Tourists

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As sweeping wildfires rapidly spread across Europe, travelers from Australia venturing abroad this season are strongly advised to stay vigilant. It’s crucial to regularly check official travel advisories and understand the extent of their travel insurance, particularly if circumstances alter their plans.

In a concerning turn, over 330,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate in both France and Spain due to relentless wildfires engulfing beloved holiday locales. Roads have been closed, flights disrupted, and entire communities are on the move. The situation has grown dire enough to prompt new evacuation orders near the ancient city of Toledo in Spain, while in southwestern France, near Bordeaux, firefighters are still contending with extensive fires.

The timing of these wildfires is particularly disruptive amid Europe’s bustling summer vacation season. Airports, key roads, and sought-after tourist sites have all felt the impact as emergency workers strive to tame the relentless blazes.

Bordeaux remains under threat

France has seen over 220,000 evacuations as fires continue their perilous journey through the Gironde region. Known for its vineyards, beautiful coastal towns, and the attractive Cap Ferret, the area now faces unprecedented threats from the fires.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has described the conditions as “very unfavourable,” cautioning that the fires are advancing towards Bordeaux. Nonetheless, evacuation of the city itself has not been deemed necessary at this point.

The blaze came within about 15km of Bordeaux’s outskirts over the weekend, prompting police to go door-to-door in nearby communities to evacuate residents.

Travel has also been disrupted, with Bordeaux Airport reporting widespread delays after air traffic restrictions were introduced to allow firefighting aircraft to operate safely.

Spain battles record fires

Spain is also grappling with multiple major blazes, with more than 115,000 people evacuated and another 30,000 ordered to shelter in place.

The largest fire, in the central province of Ávila, has burned more than 50,000 hectares, making it the country’s biggest wildfire in recent history. Fires continue to burn near Madrid and in the eastern province of Castellón.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced a civil protection emergency will be declared in the affected central regions, unlocking additional recovery funding.

More than 150,000 hectares have burned across Spain since the start of the year — six times the area destroyed over the same period last year.

What should Australian travellers do?

Australian travellers are being urged not to panic, but to closely monitor conditions, remain flexible and understand what their travel insurance does — and doesn’t — cover if their plans are disrupted.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said Australians travelling through Europe during the northern summer should stay informed about bushfires and severe weather, monitor local media and follow the advice of emergency authorities.

“Travellers should monitor the media for the latest updates and follow the advice of local authorities,” the spokesperson said.

“Be aware of emergency warnings and adjust travel plans if needed. Travel disruptions may occur in areas affected by wildfires.”

DFAT also urged Australians planning overseas travel to take out travel insurance, carefully read their product disclosure statement and subscribe to DFAT’s Smartraveller destination advisories to receive the latest updates.

The Insurance Council of Australia said travellers should carefully read their policy to understand what is and isn’t covered, including any exclusions or limits that may apply.

It said some comprehensive travel insurance policies may provide cover for cancellations, delays, interrupted holidays or additional expenses caused by wildfires, but whether a claim is paid depends on the policy’s terms and conditions and the individual circumstances of each traveller.

The industry body also noted that travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events, meaning the timing of when a policy was bought can be important.

It added that Smartraveller advisories may also be considered when assessing claims, with travelling against a “Do Not Travel” advisory potentially affecting cover under some policies.

Angus Kidman, travel expert at financial comparison site Finder, said travellers affected by the fires should first contact their airline, accommodation provider or tour operator before lodging an insurance claim.

“If your holiday in Spain or France is being impacted by active wildfires, your first call shouldn’t be to your insurer — it should be to your airline, accommodation provider or tour operator,” he said.

“Many travel providers offer free rebooking, travel credits or full refunds when natural disasters strike.”

Kidman said travel insurance was intended to cover non-refundable, out-of-pocket expenses where travel providers were unable to help, and urged travellers to keep receipts, cancellation notices and records of any additional costs if they needed to make a claim.

He also warned against waiting until a disaster was already unfolding before purchasing insurance.

“The biggest mistake travellers make is rushing to buy insurance after a natural disaster breaks out,” he said.

“Travel insurance is meant for unforeseen events. Once a wildfire is widely reported in mass media or declared a ‘known event’, taking out a new policy won’t cover you for disruptions stemming from that event.”


Discover the Mega Millions Numbers with the Best Odds Before the $800M Jackpot Drawing

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Hoping to strike it rich? It’s time to get lucky with the digits.

The Mega Millions jackpot has reached a staggering $800 million for Tuesday night, marking it as the 10th-largest jackpot in the history of the game. As anticipation heats up, lottery dreamers across the nation seek any possible advantage.

Aiming to assist these hopefuls, the Michigan-based online outlet MLive conducted an in-depth analysis, examining over a year’s worth of past games. The study covered 136 Mega Millions drawings dating back to April 8, 2025, to identify the numbers that have historically brought the most success.

A Mega Millions sign advertising an estimated $800 million prize.

Mega Millions has its 10th biggest jackpot in history. Some numerologists are trying to game the system. Getty Images

Leading the lucky numbers is 40, which has made its way onto winning tickets 17 times.

Following closely are numbers 18, 42, and 49, each showing up 16 times in the draws. Meanwhile, 56 and 63 have each appeared 15 times, making them strong contenders for prospective ticket buyers.

More belles of the balls: 12 was drawn 11 times, and the numbers 7, 16 and 24 were pulled nine times each.

But for every winner, there’s an airball.

Seven unlucky digits — 1, 3, 20, 28, 29, 46 and 67 — have been selected a measly five times each since the overhaul, making them the duds of the draw. And if you’ve been loyally playing 11 or 15 as your Mega Ball, the universe owes you an apology: Those two have shown up just twice in 15 months.

Mega Millions jackpot sign is displayed inside a store selling lottery tickets.

Mega Millions tickets cost $5 per play. Getty Images

Of course, as luck-driven legends like millennial babe Katniss Everdeen and boomer bestie Nathan Detroit know, odds are sometimes odd. Lightning can strike any five balls at any time.

But hey, when there’s $800 million on the line, even the most rational among us might start eyeing that “hot” list a little closer.

Want to keep your eye on the balls? Here’s the full list, as culled by writer Matt Durr.

The most popular Mega Millions white balls since April 2025:

40 — 17 times

18, 42, 49 — 16 times

56, 63 — 15 times

10, 17 — 14 times

The most popular Mega Millions red balls since April 2025:

11, 13, 24, 38, 43 —13 times

7, 16, 24 — Nine times

12 — 11 times

1 — 1 time

The least popular Mega Millions white balls since April 2025:

1, 3, 20, 28, 29, 46, 67 — Five times

7, 23, 32, 54, 61 — Six times

The least popular Mega Millions red balls since April 2025:

13, 20 — Three times

21, 22 — Four times

11, 15 — Twice

Gambling should be fun. If it’s not anymore, anonymous help is available. Dial 1-877-8-HOPENY to take a pause, judgement-free.