A shocking act of violence has rocked the small town of Herdecke in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, as newly-elected mayor Iris Stalzer was stabbed near her home, leaving her in critical condition. Stalzer, a member of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), assumed office in September after winning the mayoral election. Local authorities have launched a major police operation in the area, though specific details about the incident remain undisclosed. Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the attack, describing it as a ‘heinous act’ and expressing deep concern for Stalzer’s life while wishing for her full recovery. The SPD has also voiced its profound shock over the assault. According to reports from Germany’s Bild newspaper, Stalzer’s two adopted children, aged 17 and 15, were inside the family home at the time of the incident, though this has yet to be officially confirmed by authorities. The attack has sparked widespread alarm, raising questions about the safety of public officials in Germany.
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Oversight body says South Sudan rivals have recruited fighters, raising war fears
In a concerning development, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), an international ceasefire monitoring body, has revealed that parties to South Sudan’s faltering peace agreement are actively recruiting new fighters and abducting children to participate in the ongoing conflict. This alarming trend has raised fears of a potential return to full-scale civil war in the region. The RJMEC, overseen by the regional bloc IGAD, disclosed that South Sudan’s military initiated a recruitment drive in June to enlist 4,000 forces for peacekeeping and other purposes, followed by the establishment of a new training center in August. Disturbingly, the commission also reported that all sides in the conflict have been involved in the abduction and mobilization of children, as well as incidents of sexual violence. These findings, shared with the U.N. Security Council, have intensified concerns that the government and opposition groups are preparing for further escalation. The situation is further complicated by the trial of Riek Machar, a prominent opposition leader, who faces charges of terrorism and crimes against humanity. Machar, who has been under house arrest since March, denies the allegations and has called for an independent investigation. The RJMEC has urged his release, warning that the current trajectory could lead to the collapse of the 2018 peace agreement, which has already seen multiple extensions of its transitional period. George Aggrey Owinow, RJMEC’s interim chairman, emphasized the urgent need to address these challenges to prevent a reversal of progress. Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro, sought to downplay fears, asserting that the peace process remains on track despite the mounting concerns.
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Kebinatshipi targets 400m world record after Tokyo gold
Collen Kebinatshipi, the 21-year-old sprint sensation from Botswana, has set his sights on breaking Wayde van Niekerk’s 400m world record after his historic gold medal win at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last month. Kebinatshipi clocked an impressive 43.53 seconds, the 10th-fastest time in history, to claim the title, becoming the first male athlete from Botswana to achieve such a feat. Van Niekerk’s world record of 43.03 seconds, set during the 2016 Rio Olympics, remains the benchmark Kebinatshipi aspires to surpass. ‘Records are meant to be broken,’ Kebinatshipi confidently stated in an interview with Newsday on the BBC World Service. ‘If I stay focused and injury-free, everything is possible.’ His victory in Tokyo was a surprise even to himself, as he had narrowly missed the Olympic final in Paris 2024. ‘My goal was just to reach the final in Tokyo,’ he admitted. ‘I didn’t expect to win a medal so soon.’ Kebinatshipi’s triumph was followed by a unique celebration—push-ups on the Tokyo track—a tribute to his compatriot Isaac Makwala, who famously performed the same act during the 2017 World Championships. Kebinatshipi’s success extended to the 4x400m relay, where he anchored Botswana to a thrilling gold medal, edging out the United States and South Africa by a mere seven hundredths of a second. The team’s victory was celebrated with a national holiday in Botswana, marking a turning point in Kebinatshipi’s career. ‘This is just the start,’ he said. ‘I have to stay focused for what’s to come in the next decade.’
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Gold demand puts Peru’s Amazon at greater risk from mercury poisoning, bishop warns
As gold prices reach unprecedented levels, a prominent Catholic leader in Peru’s Amazon region is calling on gold-importing nations to address the rampant illegal mining that is contaminating rivers with mercury. Miguel Ángel Cadenas, a Spanish Augustinian missionary who has lived in the Amazon for 30 years, highlights the alarming increase in illegal mining since the COVID-19 pandemic. Rivers such as the Tigre, Nanay, Napo, and Putumayo are now hotspots of mercury pollution, posing severe risks to local communities. Scientific tests reveal mercury levels in fish exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits, while hair samples from residents show dangerously high concentrations. Cadenas warns that the Amazonian diet, heavily reliant on fish, is leading to food insecurity and health crises in a region already lacking adequate medical services. Mercury, used extensively in small-scale gold mining, contaminates water, accumulates in fish, and causes neurological and developmental harm in humans. Research in Peru’s Madre de Dios region found 43% of women of childbearing age and nearly 80% of residents in Amazonian villages exceed WHO mercury safety thresholds. Cadenas emphasizes the need for better public awareness and alternative food sources, as many locals remain uninformed about the dangers. He also calls for stronger traceability systems to prevent illegally mined gold from entering global markets. Countries like China, the UAE, the UK, and Switzerland, which are major gold buyers, must enforce stricter regulations, he argues. Cadenas further highlights the escalating violence against environmental defenders in the Amazon, with illegal miners often linked to armed groups. Despite Peru’s efforts, including Operation Mercury in 2019, illegal mining persists, fueled by cross-border mercury smuggling. The recent Amazon Water Summit in Iquitos brought together 400 participants from Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil to discuss solutions, but Cadenas stresses that international action is essential to curb the demand for illicit gold and protect the Amazon’s fragile ecosystem.
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Burbank and other US airports see delays as shutdown hits air travel
The Hollywood Burbank Airport in Los Angeles experienced a significant disruption on Monday evening as air traffic control operations were left unmanned for nearly six hours due to staffing shortages. This incident, part of a broader crisis exacerbated by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, led to widespread flight delays and cancellations across multiple airports, including Newark, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, and Burbank. Delays ranged from 40 to 60 minutes, according to flight data. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that some air traffic controllers are calling in sick, citing the stress of working without pay during the shutdown, now in its seventh day. He estimated that staffing levels have plummeted to 50% in some areas. Air traffic controllers, classified as essential workers, are required to work without pay during government shutdowns. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), representing over 20,000 professionals, has warned employees that absenteeism could result in termination. Duffy emphasized that safety remains the top priority, even if it means delays or cancellations. He expressed concern that controllers are distracted by financial worries, such as paying mortgages, rather than focusing on their critical duties. The shutdown, which began on October 1 after lawmakers failed to resolve a budget dispute, has left approximately 750,000 federal workers on unpaid leave. This situation mirrors the 2019 shutdown, which strained air travel and ultimately led to its resolution after 35 days. The current deadlock in Congress shows no signs of ending, raising fears of further disruptions to air travel and other essential services.
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What is the Insurrection Act?
On his first day back in the White House, President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency at the US southern border. He directed his top officials to evaluate the potential use of the Insurrection Act of 1807, a rarely invoked 19th-century law that permits the deployment of active-duty military personnel for domestic law enforcement. Trump emphasized that he would consider invoking the Act if federal courts obstructed his plans to deploy the National Guard to protect federal buildings and enforce immigration laws. The Insurrection Act grants the president broad authority to mobilize troops in response to situations where it becomes ‘impracticable to enforce’ US law through standard judicial processes. This could include quelling civil unrest, enforcing court orders, or detaining migrants. Trump’s administration has already implemented aggressive measures at the border, including nationwide deportation sweeps and transferring alleged gang members to foreign prisons. However, these actions have faced legal challenges. Migrant apprehensions have significantly declined in recent months, yet Trump continues to frame the border situation as a critical national emergency. His consideration of the Insurrection Act follows a federal judge’s decision to block the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, which Trump claims is overrun by ‘domestic terrorists.’ White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller echoed this sentiment, describing court rulings against the administration as a ‘legal insurrection.’ Historically, the Insurrection Act has been used sparingly, most notably during the Civil War, the Ku Klux Klan’s racist violence, and the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Trump’s potential invocation of the Act raises questions about its legal implications and the broader use of military force on US soil.
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Canadian marine park threatens to euthanise 30 beluga whales
Marineland, a Canadian amusement park located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has sparked widespread outrage after threatening to euthanize 30 beluga whales due to its financial struggles and the Canadian government’s refusal to approve their transfer to a theme park in China. The park, which houses the largest captive group of beluga whales in Canada, had sought to relocate the cetaceans to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, China, following years of animal welfare concerns and financial instability. However, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson denied the export permit, citing Canada’s 2019 fisheries legislation that prohibits the use of whales and dolphins for entertainment. Thompson stated that approving the transfer would have perpetuated the animals’ life in captivity and subjected them to public entertainment, a fate she could not endorse. Marineland then requested federal funding to continue caring for the whales, but this was also denied, with Thompson labeling the request as ‘inappropriate.’ Facing a ‘critical financial state’ and unable to provide adequate care, Marineland has now warned that euthanasia may be the only option. Animal welfare advocates have condemned the park’s actions, with organizations like Animal Justice and World Animal Protection calling for provincial intervention to ensure the whales’ safety and well-being. The controversy follows years of scrutiny over Marineland’s treatment of its marine life, including the deaths of 20 beluga whales since 2019 and a 2020 investigation that found all marine life at the park to be under distress.
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Emma Watson, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie in the spotlight at Paris Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week 2025 has once again become the epicenter of glamour, drawing a constellation of celebrities to witness the latest creations from iconic designers like Chanel and Miu Miu. Among the luminaries was Emma Watson, the Harry Potter star, who sparked engagement rumors by flaunting a dazzling ring on her wedding finger. Watson’s appearance came amid recent headlines surrounding her public disagreement with J.K. Rowling, adding an extra layer of intrigue to her presence. Nicole Kidman, fresh from filing for divorce from Keith Urban, attended with her daughters Sunday Rose and Faith, as well as her niece Lucia. Sunday Rose, who recently walked the runway for Dior, added a familial touch to the event. The Chanel show marked a significant milestone for designer Matthieu Blazy, who debuted his first collection for the fashion house. Blazy’s designs stayed true to Chanel’s timeless aesthetic while introducing subtle modern twists, inspired by the universal allure of the cosmos. Margot Robbie, Naomi Campbell, Tilda Swinton, and Pedro Pascal were among the other A-listers who graced the event, each showcasing their unique style. The Thom Browne show took a surreal turn with an alien-themed display, while Miu Miu embraced an unconventional apron theme, featuring Richard E Grant on the catwalk. As the week unfolded, Paris Fashion Week continued to blend high fashion with star power, cementing its status as the ultimate celebration of style and creativity.
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Funeral Mass held for O’Connor family in County Louth
The close-knit community of County Louth gathered in profound sorrow at St. Patrick’s Church in Dundalk to bid farewell to the O’Connor family, who tragically lost their lives in a devastating incident. Louise O’Connor, 56, her husband Mark O’Connor, 54, and their son Evan O’Connor, 27, who had additional needs, were found deceased at their rural residence in Drumgowna on September 29. The joint funeral Mass, presided over by Fr. Gerry Campbell, the administrator for Louth parish, was a poignant tribute to the deeply cherished family. Fr. Campbell reflected on the outpouring of admiration, affection, and grief expressed by countless individuals who knew the O’Connors. He emphasized the family’s unity in love, describing Evan as the embodiment of his parents’ joy, pride, and world. Mark was remembered for his tireless advocacy for individuals with special needs and his unwavering commitment to justice and compassion. ‘Mark gave himself completely for the good of others,’ Fr. Campbell remarked, highlighting his passion for running and his encouragement to others to persevere. Louise was celebrated for her vivacious spirit, warmth, and musical talent, as well as her compassionate nature. ‘Her heart was alive with love,’ Fr. Campbell shared, noting her deep devotion to Mark and Evan, whom she cared for with gentleness and humor. Evan’s vibrant personality and love for life were also fondly recalled, from his enthusiasm for holidays and swimming to his quirky fashion choices and joy in community activities. ‘His love was unfiltered and wholehearted,’ Fr. Campbell said. The funeral was followed by a private cremation service. In a related development, Robert O’Connor, 31, of Drumgowna, appeared before Drogheda District Court on September 30, charged with three counts of murder. The community continues to grapple with the profound loss of a family that touched so many lives.
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Third person dies from methanol poisoning in Brazil
A methanol poisoning crisis in Brazil’s São Paulo state has claimed its third victim, 30-year-old Bruna Araújo de Souza, who succumbed after consuming a vodka-based drink at a local bar. This tragic incident follows the deaths of two men, Marcos Antônio Jorge Júnior and Ricardo Lopes Mira, both of whom died after ingesting tainted alcohol. Health authorities have confirmed 225 cases of methanol poisoning nationwide, with the majority concentrated in São Paulo. In response, officials have shut down 11 businesses and seized over 10,000 bottles of alcohol suspected of contamination. The source of the methanol, a toxic substance commonly used in industrial products, remains under investigation. Authorities are urging the public to avoid unlabeled or unsealed alcoholic beverages. The crisis has sparked widespread concern, with Brazilian rapper Hungria among those hospitalized. Health Minister Alexandre Padilha has labeled the situation as unprecedented in the country’s history.