New Zealand is grappling with a severe weather crisis as powerful winds reaching speeds of up to 155 km/h (96 mph) wreak havoc across the nation. The tempest has left approximately 90,000 homes without electricity and forced the cancellation of over 100 flights, according to local media reports. The meteorological service has confirmed that the entire South Island and southern regions of the North Island are bearing the brunt of the gales. Authorities have escalated the situation by issuing rare red wind warnings—the highest alert level—in central areas, including Canterbury and Wellington. Additionally, heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for the South Island. Residents have been strongly advised to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for potential power and communication disruptions. While power restoration efforts are underway, the South Island remains the most affected. Reports from local media highlight the destruction caused by the winds, with roofs torn off houses, trees uprooted, and electricity poles toppled. Tragically, a man in Wellington lost his life after being struck by a falling tree branch at a popular walking trail. In another incident, a woman was blown into oncoming traffic by a sudden gust of wind, though she survived the ordeal. The capital has seen widespread disruptions, with flights canceled, roads closed, and libraries shut down. In Canterbury, officials have declared a state of emergency to bolster disaster response efforts. The severe weather coincides with a ‘mega strike’ involving tens of thousands of teachers, doctors, and public workers demanding better pay and working conditions. However, the extreme conditions have forced some strike activities to be moved indoors or canceled. Meanwhile, Australia is also experiencing similar weather patterns, with strong winds and a heatwave sweeping through the outback, prompting authorities to implement fire bans to prevent bushfires.
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Carrascal’s late goal lifts Flamengo over Racing Club in Copa Libertadores semifinals
In a tightly contested match at Maracanã Stadium, Flamengo secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Argentina’s Racing Club in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal series. Colombian midfielder Jorge Carrascal emerged as the hero, netting the decisive goal in the 88th minute. The three-time Libertadores champions are now one step closer to reclaiming the title they last won in 2022 and continuing Brazil’s dominance in the tournament, with seven of the past eight titles going to Brazilian clubs. The second leg is set to take place next Wednesday in Buenos Aires, with the final scheduled for November 29 at Estadio Monumental in Lima, Peru. Racing Club, making their first semifinal appearance since 1997, are striving to end a 56-year drought and claim their first Copa Libertadores title since 1967. Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, Ecuador’s LDU will face Palmeiras on Thursday. LDU, having already eliminated two Brazilian clubs in the knockout stages, are aiming to reach the final for the first time since 2008. Palmeiras, a three-time champion, advanced after defeating Argentina’s River Plate in the quarterfinals.
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Saudi Arabia announces new Grand Mufti, appointed by royal decree
In a significant development within Saudi Arabia’s religious leadership, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan has been appointed as the new Grand Mufti of the Kingdom. The announcement was made by the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday, October 23, 2025, following a royal decree issued by the Saudi monarchy. Sheikh Al-Fawzan will also assume the roles of Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars and General President of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Fatwa, holding the rank of Minister. This appointment marks a pivotal moment in the Kingdom’s religious governance, as the Grand Mufti plays a crucial role in issuing religious edicts (fatwas) and guiding Islamic jurisprudence in the country. The decision underscores the Saudi government’s commitment to maintaining a robust and authoritative religious framework. Sheikh Al-Fawzan, a renowned Islamic scholar, brings extensive expertise and influence to the position, which is expected to shape the Kingdom’s religious discourse in the years to come.
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British man drowns in Australia after surfboard snaps in wild weather
A tragic incident unfolded at Frankston Beach, located approximately 45 kilometers southeast of Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The victims, a 36-year-old British surfer and his 43-year-old friend, succumbed to the perilous conditions brought on by severe weather. Authorities were alerted to the scene after reports of two men struggling in the water. Despite a swift response from emergency services, including a police helicopter that arrived within 15 minutes, both men were pronounced dead after being winched back to shore. The officer involved in the rescue also required medical attention after ingesting water but was later released from the hospital. The identities of the deceased have not been formally released as their families are yet to be notified. Detective Inspector Melissa Nixon, who addressed the media, emphasized that the surfer had minimal experience and was likely in the early stages of learning the sport. She highlighted that the weather conditions, characterized by wind gusts of up to 130 kilometers per hour, were highly unsuitable for any water activities. The friend, who attempted to rescue the surfer after his board snapped, also fell victim to the treacherous waves. Nixon described the scene as deeply distressing and underscored that the fatalities could have been avoided. She urged the public to refrain from surfing or swimming during hazardous weather conditions to prevent similar tragedies. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unpredictable natural elements and the importance of adhering to safety warnings.
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Barbs fly as Mamdani and Cuomo meet in final, furious New York City mayoral debate
In a fiery final debate ahead of the New York City mayoral election, the three leading candidates—Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and independent Andrew Cuomo—engaged in heated exchanges over key issues, including housing, homelessness, and their approaches to dealing with former President Donald Trump. Held at a packed university auditorium in Queens, the 90-minute debate saw candidates trading personal jabs and defending their records, with Mamdani maintaining his lead in recent polls.
Mamdani, positioned at center stage, faced sharp criticism from both opponents. Cuomo accused him of absenteeism as a state assemblyman, while Sliwa questioned his stance on affordable housing initiatives. Mamdani fired back, blaming Cuomo for the city’s struggles during his tenure as governor. The debate also revisited allegations of sexual harassment against Cuomo, with Mamdani highlighting the presence of one of Cuomo’s accusers in the audience.
The candidates unanimously criticized a recent federal immigration raid in Chinatown, arguing that local authorities should handle such issues. However, their approaches to engaging with Trump diverged. Sliwa emphasized negotiation, Mamdani accused Cuomo of being Trump’s puppet, and Cuomo touted his experience in dealing with the former president.
The Middle East conflict also took center stage, with Mamdani defending his pro-Palestine stance against accusations of antisemitism. Cuomo and Sliwa criticized his views, while Cuomo affirmed the right to protest but condemned antisemitic behavior.
As early voting begins, the debate marked the candidates’ last high-profile opportunity to sway voters before Election Day.
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Tesla profits slide despite record revenue
Tesla has announced record quarterly revenue of $28 billion for the three months ending September, marking a 12% increase compared to the same period last year. However, the electric vehicle (EV) giant also reported a 37% drop in profits, attributed to rising costs from tariffs, research and development (R&D), and its ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics initiatives. The company’s financial performance comes as it faces intensifying competition from Chinese automakers like BYD and grapples with the impact of U.S. tariffs on imported car parts and raw materials.
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TikTok creator and US marshal shot during LA immigration raid
A TikTok creator and a U.S. marshal sustained injuries during an immigration enforcement operation in Los Angeles on Tuesday, according to officials. The incident occurred when Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a 44-year-old Mexican national accused of being in the U.S. illegally, allegedly rammed his vehicle into law enforcement cars while attempting to evade arrest. Officers fired shots, striking Parias in the elbow, while a ricochet bullet injured a marshal in the hand. Both individuals were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Parias, known for documenting ICE activities in Los Angeles on social media, has been charged with assault on a federal officer. He was previously recognized by a city councilman for his efforts to keep the community informed and protected. His court hearing, initially scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed. Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokeswoman, linked the incident to the rhetoric of sanctuary politicians and activists, claiming a significant rise in threats against law enforcement. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that Parias had previously evaded capture and was the subject of an administrative immigration arrest warrant. During the operation, agents boxed in Parias’ vehicle, but he allegedly ignored commands to surrender, striking two law enforcement cars. LA City Councilman Curren Price expressed solidarity with Parias, calling him a pillar of the community. This incident occurs amid increased ICE raids under the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigration, which has sparked protests and backlash in Southern California, home to an estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants.
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NYC mayoral candidates clash over Trump and political experience
In a highly anticipated final debate before the November elections, New York City mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa engaged in a heated exchange, with discussions centering on former President Donald Trump and the significance of political experience. The debate, held just days before Election Day, highlighted stark contrasts in their policy visions and leadership styles. Mamdani, a progressive advocate, emphasized the need for systemic change, while Cuomo, a seasoned politician, touted his extensive experience in governance. Sliwa, known for his grassroots activism, positioned himself as an outsider challenging the political establishment. The candidates also sparred over their stances on Trump, with Mamdani and Cuomo criticizing his legacy, while Sliwa adopted a more nuanced approach. The debate underscored the high stakes of the upcoming election, as New Yorkers prepare to choose their next mayor amidst a backdrop of economic recovery and social transformation.
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‘No photography allowed’: UAE authority informs residents of drill
The Ras Al Khaimah Police in the UAE have announced a comprehensive emergency response drill scheduled for Thursday, October 23, 2025. The exercise, aimed at simulating disaster preparedness, will take place at Wadi Al Bih, starting at 8:30 AM. Authorities have emphasized the involvement of military vehicles and urged residents to facilitate unobstructed movement for participating personnel. In a public advisory, residents were instructed to avoid the drill area, refrain from photography or filming, and abstain from spreading unverified information. Official sources were highlighted as the sole reliable channels for updates. The drill underscores the UAE’s commitment to enhancing emergency response capabilities and ensuring public safety during potential crises.
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Gold extends fall as investors book profits ahead of US inflation data
Gold prices experienced a significant decline on Wednesday, reaching a near two-week low following their sharpest single-day drop in five years. Spot gold fell by 2% to $4,038.89 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for December delivery dropped 1.3% to $4,055.40 per ounce. This downturn comes as investors take profits ahead of the highly anticipated U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which is expected to reveal core inflation held at 3.1% in September. The CPI report, delayed due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, is a critical indicator for future Federal Reserve rate decisions. Despite the recent dip, gold prices have surged 54% this year, driven by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, expectations of U.S. rate cuts, and strong inflows into ETFs. Analysts remain optimistic about gold’s long-term prospects, anticipating a rebound after the current correction. Meanwhile, other precious metals also saw mixed performance, with silver dropping 1.3% to $48.12 per ounce, platinum falling 0.3% to $1,547.09, and palladium rising 0.1% to $1,409.45.