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Tragic Loss: ‘Married at First Sight’ Alum Ryan De Nino Passes Away at 40

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Ryan De Nino, known for his role on Married At First Sight, has tragically passed away at 40. A family source informed TMZ that his death occurred ‘suddenly’ in New Jersey.

According to the source, the family has decided to withhold additional details concerning the circumstances of his passing.

Earlier this week, his sister Melissa expressed her sorrowful farewell to her brother through a touching post on Facebook.

Sharing cherished memories with photos of De Nino, she wrote, “Ryan was incredibly funny and fiercely loyal. His heart was always in the right place.”

“The loss of a sibling is indescribable,” she continued. “Having shared a lifetime of memories, his absence is deeply felt. Despite challenges, my love for him never wavered. Life will never be the same without him.”

De Nino appeared on the A&E series Married At First Sight during season two back in 2015, and had been paired with Jessica Castro at the time.  

Married At First Sight star Ryan De Nino has passed away at the age of 40 as a family source revealed to TMZ that he died 'suddenly' in New Jersey; seen above with Jessica Castro in 2015 on Married At First Sight

Married At First Sight star Ryan De Nino has passed away at the age of 40 as a family source revealed to TMZ that he died ‘suddenly’ in New Jersey; seen above with Jessica Castro in 2015 on Married At First Sight

The insider told the outlet that family members will not be releasing further details of his death

The insider told the outlet that family members will not be releasing further details of his death

Daily Mail has reached out to a rep for A&E for comment, but has yet to hear back. 

Castro broke silence on her ex-husband’s passing following the shock news of his death. 

‘I have not had contact with Ryan in years so I have/had no idea what his life entailed,’ she said in a statement to Page Six on Friday. 

‘However, I do send my sincerest condolences to his family during this very difficult time. I can not imagine what they are going through. May he rest peacefully.’ 

De Nino and Castro agreed to say ‘I do’ after first meeting at the alter on Married At First Sight, and stayed together on Decision Day. 

However, the reality stars later divorced when season two ended.

In 2015, Castro filed for a restraining order against De Nino after alleging he threatened both her and her family, per People. 

He soon took to his Instagram account at the time to share that she had filed for an order of protection. 

Earlier this week on Tuesday, his sister Melissa shared an emotional tribute to her brother on Facebook

Earlier this week on Tuesday, his sister Melissa shared an emotional tribute to her brother on Facebook

De Nino appeared on Married At First Sight during season two back in 2015, and had been paired with Jessica Castro at the time

De Nino appeared on Married At First Sight during season two back in 2015, and had been paired with Jessica Castro at the time

'I have not had contact with Ryan in years so I have/had no idea what his life entailed,' Castro said in a statement to Page Six on Friday

‘I have not had contact with Ryan in years so I have/had no idea what his life entailed,’ Castro said in a statement to Page Six on Friday

De Nino claimed that the order of protection had left him both ‘in awe’ as well as ‘disgusted.’ 

During their time on the show, Castro had stated, ‘I come from a family of long successful marriages. The word divorce just doesn’t fall into my lifestyle.’ 

The former couple appeared on a reunion episode that aired in June 2015. 

Castro had alleged at the time that De Nino cheated on her on Valentine’s Day amid their then-rocky relationship. 

‘A week prior to that, we had a blow-up because he told me that he was gonna be busy. So, I didn’t see him,’ she explained. 

‘A few weeks later, I find a Valentine’s Day card from another female at his apartment.’  

In 2015, Castro filed for a restraining order against De Nino after alleging he threatened both her and her family, per People

In 2015, Castro filed for a restraining order against De Nino after alleging he threatened both her and her family, per People

De Nino had over 40,000 followers on Instagram, with his last post being in June 2022

De Nino had over 40,000 followers on Instagram, with his last post being in June 2022

However, he denied her cheating accusations and said he cannot ‘control people from sending me cards.’

De Nino had over 40,000 followers on Instagram, with his last post being in June 2022. 

Castro is also active on social media and often posts to her nearly 100,000 Instagram followers. 

She is mom to five-year-old son Sergio Jr.  

Devastating 7.7 Quake Hits Indonesia, Leaves 5 Dead

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JAKARTA, Indonesia — In the early hours of Saturday, a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake rattled the coast of Indonesia, toppling buildings and homes. This formidable seismic event claimed the lives of at least five individuals and incited panic throughout a region all too familiar with catastrophic earthquakes.

Initially, authorities responded by issuing a tsunami warning, urging those living along the coast to evacuate to higher ground. However, this warning was later rescinded after Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency confirmed that no significant changes in sea levels were observed, eliminating immediate threats to coastal communities.

According to the U.S Geological Survey, the earthquake struck the Flores region of Indonesia at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers at 5:58 a.m. local time. The epicenter was pinpointed 68 kilometers (42 miles) north-northwest of Ende, a city in the East Nusa Tenggara province. The initial tremor was succeeded by a series of aftershocks, further unsettling the area.

A powerful magnitude 7.7 quake has struck off the coast of Indonesia, the USGS said. The quake hit Indonesia's Flores region.

A powerful magnitude 7.7 quake has struck off the coast of Indonesia, the USGS said. The quake hit Indonesia’s Flores region.

East Nusa Tenggara’s top police official, Rudi Darmoko, reported preliminary findings showing two fatalities in Sikka Regency and three in Manggarai Regency. Extensive structural damage and power outages have complicated the situation, impeding communication and making rescue operations challenging.

“We are actively working to gather more information on damages and casualties,” Darmoko stated, “but communication disruptions are proving difficult to navigate.”

Footage on local television showed patients at several hospitals being evacuated from buildings as a precaution following the quake. Hospital staff moved equipment outdoors, including beds, IV stands and oxygen cylinders, and set up temporary treatment areas to adapt to emergency conditions.

Quake felt on Flores island and other areas

The quake was felt across much of Flores island with initial reports indicating heavy damage.

Yohanna Embu, a resident of Sikka regency, said a number of buildings were damaged by the strong shaking and panicked people ran to higher ground.

“Many buildings here were damaged … I saw that the waiting room at the port terminal in Maumere had collapsed,” she said.

ABC7 has compiled a list of items that are important to have in your earthquake kit so that you’re prepared for “the big one.”

Students at St. Peter Major Seminary in Sikka who were attending morning Mass fled in panic when the roof of an assembly hall collapsed, said the Rev. Guidelbertus Tanga, rector of the seminary, which is known locally as Ritapiret Seminary on the predominantly Catholic island of Flores.

“Our students and nuns ran out in panic beneath a collapsing roof,” Tanga said. “At least one priest suffered a broken leg after jumping from the second floor of a building during the quake.”

The quake also reportedly caused panic in Bima, a city in neighboring West Nusa Tenggara province. There were also damages reported in some part of southern Sulawesi island.

Indonesian authorities initially issued a tsunami warning for parts of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi provinces, and urged residents to stay away from beaches and riverbanks. The agency located the shallow undersea quake near Flores island.

Indonesia prone to earthquakes

Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity because of its location on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.

A powerful earthquake caused a tsunami in 1992 that killed about 2,500 people on Flores, part of a group of islands in the eastern half of Indonesia.

In 2018, a magnitude 7.5 quake spawned a large localized tsunami that wiped out coastal areas, while liquefaction caused by the shaking turned entire neighborhoods into rivers of sludge in the eastern Indonesian city of Palu, on the Palu-Koro Fault. The disaster killed more than 4,400 people.

In 2010, a 10-foot (three-meter) wave struck the Mentawai Islands, off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, just minutes after a massive offshore earthquake. More than 400 people were killed and hundreds of homes were destroyed.

In December 2004, a massive magnitude 9.1 earthquake off Sumatra in western Indonesia triggered a tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen countries.
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Associated Press writers Niniek Karmini and Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Road Rage Tragedy: Witness Claims Shooter’s Chilling Words Preceded Fatal Attack

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In a tragic turn of events, a Wisconsin man expressed remorse for a fatal road rage incident, in which he allegedly said to his passenger, “Watch this” before pulling the trigger on another driver.

“I apologize to all of you,” stated Todd Gieck during his sentencing on August 12 in a Trempealeau County courtroom for the murder of Kyle Dahl. As captured in a WEAU broadcast, he added, “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I was frightened.” 

Gieck continued, explaining, “There was an incident, and I acted impulsively, resulting in what was truly an accident. I was mishandling the firearm, leading to it discharging. I have been honest about what transpired, and I take full responsibility for my actions.”

Todd received a prison term of 40 years, along with 20 years under supervised release, courtroom records reveal, as reported by Oxygen. Despite pleading not guilty, his defense team hasn’t yet given any comments to Oxygen. 

Judge Thomas Clark emphatically addressed Todd, stating, “Your behavior was recklessly dangerous, and it resulted in the death of Kyle Dahl. Consequences must follow.” 

Todd was found guilty of first-degree reckless homicide with use of a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm at a vehicle and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, court records show.  

While Kyle’s death was initially viewed as suspicious, Todd’s passenger helped shed light on what allegedly occurred in May 2024. 

The passenger told police in a criminal complaint cited by WXOW that Todd was “highly amped” and “fast paced” while driving that night. At one point, he said, Todd stopped on the side of the road to check out an abandoned pontoon boat when a car behind them slowly passed by. 

The presence of the car “elevated Gieck’s level of agitation,” the passenger said in the complaint, and Todd asked what it was doing. 

Todd caught up with the other car, according to the complaint, and the passenger heard the “rack of a gun and Gieck said something like ‘watch this.’” 

The passenger said he then heard a gunshot along with the sound of breaking glass and saw the other car “kind of go off the road.”

When he asked Todd if they were going to make sure the other driver was OK, according to the complaint, “Gieck drove his car the other direction.”

Police found Kyle’s car in a ditch, according to a criminal complaint cited by WEAU. He had head trauma and, with an object embedded near his eye. That injury was later determined to be a gunshot wound, 

Kyle was flown to a hospital, where he later died. 

Todd was arrested in June 2024 for first-degree reckless homicide, first-degree recklessly endangering safety and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to a news release from the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Office viewed by WEAU. 

At sentencing, Kyle’s family spoke about their loss.

“The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do was tell our 6-year-old son that his dad wasn’t coming home,” Kyle’s wife Brittany Dahl told the court. “Eventually I had to tell him the truth. How do you explain to a little boy that someone made the choice to shoot his dad while driving? How do you help your child understand that the person he looked up to, the person who made him feel safe, was taken from him in an act of unimaginable violence?”

Woman Shares Heartbreaking Story of Husband’s Indifference

A woman recently opened up about the emotional turmoil she faced after stepping away from her marriage. She revealed with surprise and heartache that her husband made no attempt to reach out, search for her whereabouts, or even contact her family.

After leaving her husband and children behind, she was taken aback by her husband’s apparent lack of concern. His indifference as if her absence was of no consequence, left her puzzled.

In moments of reflection, she found herself questioning the nature of her marriage. Was she truly married to a confidant, or had her partner turned adversarial? Her husband’s silence regarding her wellbeing left her grappling with these thoughts.

Woman reflects on husband’s reaction

This experience prompted her to deeply consider their relationship dynamics, as she struggled to understand why her husband showed no signs of missing her once she had gone.

Despite these revelations, she admitted that her husband had always been a kind man and a dedicated father, consistently striving to provide for both her and their children.

The woman said, “I left my marriage and my husband did not bother to come look for me.”

She added, “He has not asked after me. He has not even called me to ask where I am or if I’m fine.”

The experience prompted her to question what a husband’s failure to search for his wife could mean about their relationship.

Lady urges women to ask difficult questions

She further stated, “I’m going to ask every woman, when you left your marriage and your husband didn’t look for you did you ask yourself some pertinent questions like why didn’t he look for you?”

The woman also questioned why her husband did not miss her, suggesting that women should examine their own conduct when faced with such a reaction.

Her story has raised a wider conversation about marriage, emotional attachment and how couples respond when one partner leaves the home.

While she described her husband as a good man and father, her experience has left her reflecting on the emotional state of their marriage and what his silence could mean.

Watch the video below…

Hugh Hefner Exposed Jeffrey Epstein’s Crimes to the FBI

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In a startling revelation, late Playboy tycoon Hugh Hefner was reported to have alerted the FBI regarding Jeffrey Epstein after learning of grievous allegations involving the disgraced financier from a Playmate who accused him of sexual assault and trafficking.

As per the New York Post, Audra Lynn Christiansen, who graced the magazine’s pages as a Playmate in 2003, sought shelter at the Playboy Mansion. Claiming that Epstein had sexually assaulted her and ensnared her into a trafficking ring catering to elites, she implored Hefner for assistance.

In 2005, Christiansen urged Hefner to leverage his powerful status and network to report her ordeal to the authorities, hoping this influence might lend gravity to her alarming claims.

The allegations maintain that Hefner responded by contacting the FBI multiple times on behalf of Christiansen to relay information about Epstein, as highlighted in the New York Post’s coverage of the situation.

These revelations emerge from an amended complaint filed this May in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, shedding light on the deep and troubling connections intertwined within this tragic narrative.

The lawsuit, brought by Epstein victims, accuses the FBI of failing to act on multiple reports of his sexual abuse dating back to 1996.

Late Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner allegedly called the FBI to report convicted sex offender after a Playmate told him that she'd been raped and trafficked by the disgraced fancier

Late Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner allegedly called the FBI to report convicted sex offender after a Playmate told him that she’d been raped and trafficked by the disgraced fancier

Audra Lynn Christiansen, a 2003 Playmate, was living with Hefner at the Playboy Mansion when she turned to him for help, claiming that she had been raped by Epstein

Audra Lynn Christiansen, a 2003 Playmate, was living with Hefner at the Playboy Mansion when she turned to him for help, claiming that she had been raped by Epstein 

Christiansen, now 46, claims that she didn’t hear back from the FBI until October 2020 – fifteen years after Hefner, who died in 2017, had called them. 

She reportedly told FBI agents that she’d been introduced to Epstein after her 2003 Playboy shoot was released. 

Christiansen also briefly appeared on E!’s The Girls Next Door reality show and had a minor part in the 2007 spoof film Epic Movie.  

The allegations are detailed in a new lawsuit which was first reported by Miami Herald journalist Julie K. Brown, who shared it on her Substack blog.

The Daily Mail has contacted Playboy for comment.  

Epstein killed himself inside of his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City at the age of 66 in August 2019.  

At the time of his death, he had pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking minors and conspiracy, and was awaiting trial when he died.

His suicide fueled public speculation that he was assassinated as part of a cover-up to protect high-profile individuals who were potentially complicit in his crimes.

Christiansen is pictured with fellow Playmate Michele Rogers at a Playboy pool party

Christiansen is pictured with fellow Playmate Michele Rogers at a Playboy pool party

From that, a theory emerged that the well-connected financier maintained a list of clients to whom underage girls were trafficked. 

Aside from his longtime associate and former lover Ghislaine Maxwell, who was sentenced to serve 20 years behind bars in June 2022 for her role in luring underage girls for Epstein, there have been no US arrests relating to the financier.

Hefner was also accused of rape, although all the allegations against him came out after he died in 2017 at age 91.

Many women who previously dated and worked with the late magazine editor detailed alleged encounters with him and made numerous explosive accusations as part of the A&E docuseries Secrets of Playboy in 2022.

Throughout the series, multiple women accused Hefner of sexual assault, bestiality, and other sexual misconduct.

Christiansen reportedly told FBI agents that she'd been introduced to Epstein after her 2003 Playboy shoot was released before being raped and trafficked to his wealthy friends

Christiansen reportedly told FBI agents that she’d been introduced to Epstein after her 2003 Playboy shoot was released before being raped and trafficked to his wealthy friends

However, others later defended the Playboy mogul, including actress and former Playmate Jenny McCarthy.  

McCarthy – who first modeled for Playboy in 1993 and moved into the mansion soon after – recalled the house being run like a ‘strict dormitory.’

‘We weren’t even allowed near Hef or around the house. It was almost like Catholic school, to be honest,’ she said on Zack Peter’s No Filter.

She explained that when she lived in the mansion, Hefner was married to Playmate Kimberley Conrad, who was his main focus

‘I’m so grateful that when I was there, Hef was married,’ she said.

‘I think I went in there in a window of time that was kind of safe. There were no orgies or big parties going on. But hearing some of these girls’ stories was really rough. Hearing their stories, my heart broke for a lot of these women.’

Jeanine Pirro’s Future in Trump’s Eyes After Dropped Charges Against Reflecting Pool Vandal

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In a swirl of speculation, Donald Trump continues to weigh his options over the future of US Attorney for Washington D.C., Jeanine Pirro, a figure long considered a staunch ally.

Tensions flared after a meeting on Monday, during which the former President criticized Pirro. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with her office’s decision to drop charges against David Hearn, an Olympic athlete accused of defacing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Trump colorfully remarked that Pirro “folded like an umbrella” under pressure.

Amid these developments, Trump addressed the issue at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday night. As he prepared to embark on Air Force One, he shed light on Pirro’s standing.

When pressed directly on Pirro’s job security, Trump admitted, “I haven’t made a determination,” leaving her fate hanging in the balance.

He continued, stating, “I told her I was not happy,” underscoring his dissatisfaction with recent prosecutorial decisions within her jurisdiction.

Trump continued to insist on Tuesday night that the pool had been vandalized and defended the contractors. 

‘I just think she was totally wrong. They did a beautiful job, there were a couple of little things but that was not a big deal and everybody saw the vandalism, all you have to do is look at the tape,’ he said.

‘Plus, we have a witness or two witnesses that saw the vandalism, so certainly there was vandalism. In my opinion, it was major vandalism.’

Donald Trump said he hasn't decided yet whether to fire longtime ally and US Attorney for Washington DC Jeanine Pirro

Donald Trump said he hasn’t decided yet whether to fire longtime ally and US Attorney for Washington DC Jeanine Pirro

The President met with Pirro (pictured) after saying that she 'choked' and 'folded like an umbrella' when lawyers in her office dismissed charges against US Olympian David Hearn, accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

The President met with Pirro (pictured) after saying that she ‘choked’ and ‘folded like an umbrella’ when lawyers in her office dismissed charges against US Olympian David Hearn, accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

The President appeared to be livid with Pirro after lawyers in her office dismissed charges against Hearn.

‘I was disappointed with Jeanine Pirro, really disappointed with Jeanine Pirro,’ Trump said angrily to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday. 

‘She folded like an umbrella, and people get away with things, and it’s a disgrace.’

Pirro, a former judge and district attorney, joined Fox News in 2006 before she was appointed by Trump as the US Attorney for Washington, DC in May 2025. 

‘Frankly, I think she choked,’ Trump said, adding: ‘I don’t know what the hell happened.’

Pirro was spotted by reporters entering the West Wing on Monday evening, presumably to meet the president. 

The President was personally involved with the $16 million renovation of the pool as part of his goal to beautify Washington, DC ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.

After the high-profile and speedy renovation, portions of the liner detached from the bottom of the pool and floated toward the surface in June, sparking public mockery of Trump’s project.

Pirro’s office moved to dismiss the charges of federal vandalism against Hearn after he was spotted reaching into the water of the reflecting pool to examine a piece of detached reflecting pool liner in June. 

The President appeared to still be livid with Pirro after lawyers in her office dismissed charges against US Olympian David Hearn, accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

The President appeared to still be livid with Pirro after lawyers in her office dismissed charges against US Olympian David Hearn, accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool 

David Hearn (pictured), the former Olympian accused of vandalizing Trump's restored Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, had his charges dismissed

David Hearn (pictured), the former Olympian accused of vandalizing Trump’s restored Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, had his charges dismissed

US Park Police arrested Hearn, and he was subsequently indicted on a single felony count of property destruction. Hearn pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court filing released Friday cited new evidence in the case that ‘undermines the evidentiary basis for the indictment’ and dismissed the case. 

The filing revealed that new documents indicated that the damage to the pool ‘was the result of a botched installation and not vandalism as initially represented’ by the Interior Department.

‘Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt,’ the filing states.

The Justice Department knew or should have known for weeks that its case against a former Olympian charged with intentionally damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was flawed, and that he bore no responsibility for longstanding problems at the landmark, defense lawyers said Tuesday.

Lawyers for Hearn on Tuesday urged a judge to permanently dismiss the case and foreclose the possibility that the Trump administration could revive it. 

They took issue with Pirro’s assertion that prosecutors only recently learned about the pre-existing defects at the pool, saying the government had ‘disregarded readily available evidence’ that the liner was already failing because of installation flaws.

‘From the outset, the evidence showed that the pool liner was already failing and that Mr. Hearn did not cause the damage alleged in the indictment,” Hearn’s legal team argued in a 28-page motion filed Tuesday in D.C. Superior Court.

Investigations showed the damage was the result of a 'flawed installation by the contractor.' Hearn shared this photo he took of the pool's peeling lining with the Daily Mail

Investigations showed the damage was the result of a ‘flawed installation by the contractor.’ Hearn shared this photo he took of the pool’s peeling lining with the Daily Mail

Hearn claimed that the Trump administration was trying to build a false narrative that issues with the Reflecting Pool were due to vandalism. Workers are pictured cleaning the pool

Hearn claimed that the Trump administration was trying to build a false narrative that issues with the Reflecting Pool were due to vandalism. Workers are pictured cleaning the pool

The poor condition of the pool was ‘plainly visible’ for weeks and was publicly documented through photographs, video and news reports, the lawyers wrote.

‘Defying both decency and common sense, the government proceeded to indict Mr. Hearn before it had obtained or evaluated the information necessary to establish a good-faith basis for the charge,’ the defense attorneys wrote.

In addition, they say, the government’s key eyewitness was never presented to the grand jury, and a key prosecution witness on the question of damages ‘stated that the repairs at issue would have been necessary regardless of Mr. Hearn’s alleged conduct and could not identify any additional cost caused by Mr. Hearn.’

The contractor, Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings, ‘publicly acknowledged, before Mr. Hearn was indicted, that portions of the project required repair,’ the lawyers said. 

The firm was awarded a $14.7 million no-bid contract to repaint and waterproof the pool’s concrete floor.

Hearn pleaded not guilty last month to one felony count of property destruction and had a trial scheduled to start September 28 in DC Superior Court before the case was dismissed. 

He was facing a maximum prison sentence of 10 years if convicted, as he was accused of causing at least $1,000 in damage to the pool.

Trump appointed the former Fox host to her role in his administration last year after his initial pick, Ed Martin, could not be confirmed because of Republican senator holdouts. 

Pirro’s tenure has been plagued with failures to prosecute the president’s political opponents, despite his adamant attempts to do so. She was unable to indict former Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell for alleged wasteful spending.

The former Fox host was also unable to secure indictments against six Democratic lawmakers who had posted a video reminding US military personnel of their obligation to refuse illegal orders. 

And prosecutors under her watch likewise failed to indict vocal Trump critic New York Attorney General Letitia James for alleged bank fraud and alleged false statements regarding a property purchase.

Indonesia Issues Urgent Tsunami Warning Following Massive 7.7 Earthquake Prompting Widespread Evacuations

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An intense earthquake, measuring 7.7 in magnitude, jolted the seas near Flores Island in eastern Indonesia early on Saturday, sending waves of panic among locals as officials swiftly issued a tsunami warning.

In the Nagekeo Regency, the region closest to where the tremors originated, residents desperately sought higher ground as they watched the ocean recede—a potential harbinger of a looming tsunami. Journalists on the scene from the Agence France-Presse (AFP) captured the urgency of their escape.

Fortunately, officials later withdrew the tsunami warning, calming fears.

Tragically, the earthquake claimed two lives, as confirmed by a representative from Indonesia’s national disaster management agency.

The quake’s epicenter was pinpointed just off the island’s northern coast, situated approximately 68 kilometers northwest of Ende, a coastal town. This data was corroborated by both US and Indonesian authorities.

The initial jolt was followed by strong aftershocks in the same area, including one with a magnitude of 6.1.

“Suddenly it started to shake and I panicked,” 31-year-old hospital customer service official and Maumere resident, Lukas Lotar, told AFP.

“Patients also fled the hospital, the jolt was big. I saw some walls were cracked,” he said.

A resident in Nagekeo, Yohanes Babo, 56, said he was at a market when the earth started shaking.

“The shaking was strong. Thankfully, we were already outside the house,” he told AFP.

“People were panicking, running here and there. We’re evacuating for the time being… and trying to get to the hills,” he said, adding: “My family is safe. No one was harmed.”

Evacuation urged

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned of the possibility of tsunami waves following the quake and urged people to get to higher ground.

“We strongly urge our communities along the northern coast of Flores and in the southern parts, on the southern islands and across the southern region, to carry out self-evacuation immediately,” Abdul Muhari, an official at the national disaster agency, BNPB, said.

Residents should “move away from the shore, either by going more than two kilometres inland or by moving up into hilly areas more than 10 meters high,” he told local broadcaster Kompas TV.

INDONESIA-QUAKE

BMKG earthquake and tsunami director Wijayanto said tsunami modelling suggested the potential for a tsunami in the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and West Nusa Tenggara.

An alert was issued for waves ranging from 0.5 metres to three metres (1.6 to 9.8 feet), but was later lifted.

“We have ended (the tsunami warning) but we will keep monitoring the sea level,” said Wijayanto who, like many Indonesians, goes by one name.

Residents in the town of Maumere on Flores Island were evacuating to higher ground, an AFP correspondent saw.

Images broadcast on Indonesian television showed hundreds of people in nearby Nagekeo regency evacuating the area from among the rubble of damaged buildings.

Authorities have not reported any casualties, but said tsunami waves between 19 and 30 centimetres have been detected.

Indonesia and neighbouring countries experience frequent earthquakes due to their location in the Pacific “Ring of Fire” — an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

Among Indonesia’s history of deadly quakes is a devastating 9.1-magnitude tremor in 2004 that struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including about 170,000 in Indonesia.

The Boxing Day tragedy was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.

In 2018, a powerful quake shook the island of Lombok and several more tremors followed over the next couple of weeks, killing more than 550 people on the holiday island and neighbouring Sumbawa.

Later that year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island left more than 4,300 people dead or missing.


Construction Workers Unearth $10M Gold in Brewery Sewer Project

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

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

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

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

gold bars

Belgium’s construction crew’s unexpected find this week involved unearthing $10.4 million in gold as they worked on a new sewer beneath an old brewery location—a discovery that astonished local authorities. (Lokale Politie Dendermonde/Facebook)

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

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

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

He called his boss and then the police.

gold coins

Police in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, a Flemish community outside of Brussels, said the workers contacted them immediately about the find, which officers cataloged, then placed in a “high-security federal government vault.” (Lokale Politie Dendermonde/Facebook)

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

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

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

police cataloging the gold

Police catalog the gold found in Belgium. (Lokale Politie Dendermonde/Facebook)

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

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

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

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