The US Supreme Court is set to deliberate on whether a federal law prohibiting habitual illegal drug users from possessing firearms violates the Constitution. This case, prompted by the Trump administration, follows a lower federal court in Texas ruling in favor of Ali Hemani, an alleged regular marijuana user charged under the statute. Hemani’s attorneys successfully argued that the law infringed on his Second Amendment rights, leading to the charge being dismissed. The government, however, contends that the law is essential to prevent individuals who pose ‘unique dangers to society’ from owning guns. Solicitor General John Sauer emphasized the heightened risk of armed, impaired encounters with law enforcement. The government asserts that the restriction is narrowly tailored and does not unjustly infringe on Second Amendment rights, as individuals can regain gun access if they cease illegal drug use. Hemani, however, argues that the law is overly broad and could unfairly affect marijuana users, especially in states where cannabis is legal or decriminalized. This case follows the high-profile prosecution of Hunter Biden, son of former President Joe Biden, who was convicted under the same law in 2024 but later pardoned. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority has historically supported gun rights, though exceptions exist, such as its 2024 decision upholding a ban on firearms for individuals with domestic violence restraining orders. The outcome of this case could significantly impact the intersection of gun rights and drug policy in the United States.
作者： admin
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US nuclear stockpile agency to layoff hundreds as shutdown continues
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency under the US Department of Energy, has announced the temporary layoff of approximately 1,400 employees as the federal government shutdown enters its 20th day. This marks the first time in the agency’s history, since its establishment in 2000, that such measures have been taken. Officials revealed that fewer than 400 employees will remain operational post-furlough. The NNSA plays a critical role in safeguarding the US nuclear stockpile and preventing the global proliferation of nuclear weapons. Spokesperson Ben Dietderich stated, ‘We are left with no choice this time. We’ve extended funding as long as we could.’ The Office of Secure Transportation, responsible for transporting nuclear weapons, has secured funding until October 27. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who is set to address the issue at a news conference in Nevada, assured that the nuclear stockpile remains secure, though modernization efforts will be hindered. Meanwhile, the US Senate is poised to vote on a funding bill, which has already failed 10 times. Senate Majority Leader John Thune plans to introduce legislation to pay federal employees and military personnel working without pay. The shutdown, stemming from a deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over healthcare funding and budget negotiations, has left 1.4 million federal employees either furloughed or working without pay.
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How did thieves at Louvre carry out 7-minute heist; 60 investigators hunt for robbers
In a brazen daylight robbery, a group of thieves executed a meticulously planned heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, making off with eight priceless pieces of royal jewellery. The audacious theft, which took a mere seven minutes, has left French authorities scrambling to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen treasures. The stolen items include an emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon to his wife, Empress Marie Louise, and a diadem belonging to Empress Eugenie, adorned with nearly 2,000 diamonds. The thieves gained access to the Apollo Gallery, home to the royal collection, using a furniture hoist and cutting equipment to breach a window and open display cases. A brief clip of the raid, captured by a visitor’s phone, was broadcast on French news channels. The museum’s staff intervened, forcing the thieves to flee and abandon some of their equipment. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the incident as a ‘major weak spot’ in the nation’s museum security, reigniting debates over the lack of adequate protection for cultural institutions. The theft has sparked outrage across the political spectrum, with far-right leader Jordan Bardella calling it ‘an unbearable humiliation for our country.’ President Emmanuel Macron assured the public that ‘everything is being done’ to catch the culprits and recover the stolen items. This marks the first major theft from the Louvre since 1998, when a painting by Corot was stolen and never recovered.
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Blue alert issued for Fengshen, 24th typhoon of the year
China’s National Meteorological Center has raised a blue alert for Typhoon Fengshen, the 24th typhoon of the year, as it gains strength over the South China Sea. As of 5 am on Monday, the storm’s center was positioned approximately 520 kilometers east of Sansha city in Hainan province. Currently classified as a tropical storm, Fengshen boasts maximum sustained winds of 23 meters per second, with its wind field extending 220 to 280 kilometers from the center. The typhoon is projected to move northwest at a speed of 20 to 25 kilometers per hour, potentially escalating into a severe tropical storm or even a full-fledged typhoon, with wind speeds reaching 30 to 35 meters per second. By Tuesday, a cold front is expected to redirect Fengshen southwestward toward the central coast of Vietnam, where it will likely weaken. Over the next three days, the storm is set to unleash heavy rainfall and strong winds across eastern and northern Taiwan, the coastal regions of Fujian and Guangdong provinces, Hainan Island, and the northern South China Sea. From 8 am Monday to 8 am Tuesday, northern Taiwan is forecast to experience torrential rains, with some areas receiving 100 to 200 millimeters of precipitation. Concurrently, a cold front will sweep across central and eastern China, causing temperatures to plummet by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius, with some regions experiencing drops of up to 8 degrees Celsius. The combined influence of the cold front and Typhoon Fengshen will also result in powerful winds across the southern East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and northern and central South China Sea, with gusts reaching up to 36.9 meters per second, prompting the issuance of a yellow alert for strong winds.
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China’s AIMS telescope in mid-infrared band operational
China has officially commissioned the world’s first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope, marking a significant leap in astronomical research. The Accurate Infrared Magnetic Field Measurements of the Sun (AIMS), developed by the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC), has successfully passed its final acceptance review. Located in Lenghu township, Qinghai province, at an altitude of 4,000 meters, the telescope benefits from optimal viewing conditions despite the harsh environment. AIMS addresses a critical gap in mid-infrared solar magnetic-field observations, transitioning from indirect inference to direct detection, thereby enhancing measurement precision. The telescope’s domestically designed components, including the infrared spectrograph and imaging camera, have improved the accuracy of direct solar magnetic-field measurements to over 10 gauss. During its trial phase, AIMS captured mid-infrared flare data across multiple bands, offering new insights into solar eruptions and magnetic energy dynamics. Now operational, AIMS is poised to support advanced solar-physics research in China, bolstering the nation’s capabilities in solar-activity monitoring and space-weather forecasting.
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Merz rejects calls to relax refusal to deal with German far-right party
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has firmly dismissed appeals from within his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to reconsider its stance against collaborating with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Speaking on Monday, Merz emphasized that the AfD, which has seen rising support in recent polls, shares no common ground with his conservative party. The AfD, known for its anti-migration policies, secured second place in Germany’s February national election and continues to gain traction, particularly in the eastern states where regional elections are slated for next year. Despite pressure from some CDU members, including former General Secretary Peter Tauber and ex-Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Merz reiterated the party’s 2018 resolution to avoid coalitions or cooperation with the AfD. He described the far-right party as fundamentally opposed to decades of policies that have shaped modern Germany’s success. Merz also acknowledged internal challenges within his coalition government with the Social Democrats, citing public disagreements that have frustrated voters. However, he defended the coalition’s progress on key issues like economic revitalization and migration control. The AfD, classified as a right-wing extremist organization by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, continues to challenge this designation in court while pushing for the CDU to dismantle its so-called ‘firewall’ against far-right collaboration. Merz dismissed these overtures, stating that the AfD’s ‘outstretched hand is, in reality, a hand that wants to destroy us.’
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Global mayors visit China Ceramics Museum in Jingdezhen
Jingdezhen, renowned as the ‘Porcelain Capital’ of China, recently welcomed a distinguished group of global mayors who visited the China Ceramics Museum as part of the 2025 Global Mayors Dialogue. The event, held from October 17 to 20, showcased the city’s rich cultural heritage and its pivotal role in the history of ceramics. The museum, a treasure trove of ancient and modern porcelain artifacts, provided the visiting delegates with a deep dive into the artistry and craftsmanship that has defined Jingdezhen for centuries. The mayors, representing cities from around the world, expressed admiration for the museum’s extensive collection and the city’s ongoing efforts to preserve and promote its porcelain legacy. This visit not only highlighted Jingdezhen’s cultural significance but also fostered international dialogue on heritage conservation and cultural exchange.
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New road linking Baltic states to Poland opens at a time of tensions with Russia
In a significant development for regional connectivity and security, the Via Baltica, a major road linking the Baltic states to Poland, was inaugurated on Monday. This opening comes at a time of heightened tensions between Europe and Russia, particularly following recent incursions of Russian drones into Polish territory and fighter jets into Estonian airspace in September. The 970-kilometer (600-mile) route, which forms part of the European E67 highway, stretches from Warsaw, Poland, through Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, culminating in Tallinn. The road traverses the strategically sensitive Suwalki Gap, a narrow strip of land between Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, often cited as a potential flashpoint in any conflict involving NATO and Russia. At the inauguration ceremony on the Polish-Lithuanian border, Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda emphasized the dual significance of Via Baltica, highlighting its role in bolstering both economic growth and regional defense. Nawrocki stated, ‘This road has a dual purpose – it will help our economy and strengthen the defense capabilities of our region.’ Nausėda echoed these sentiments, describing the road as a symbol of ‘freedom, prosperity, and security,’ while underscoring its economic and logistical importance in connecting Lithuania to the broader European market. The four-lane A5 highway, linking Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city, to Suwalki in Poland, is a key component of Via Baltica. However, some northbound sections remain two lanes and are slated for future expansion, according to Lithuania’s Transportation Ministry. The road’s strategic value lies in its potential to facilitate faster NATO troop movements in the event of a crisis, reinforcing the Baltics’ defense posture amidst ongoing regional instability.
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Dubai: Gold prices inch higher in early trade on first day of week
Gold prices in Dubai experienced a modest increase at the start of the trading week on Monday, aligning with global market trends. At 9:00 AM UAE time, 24K gold opened at Dh514 per gram, marking a rise of Dh1.75 from the previous week’s closing price. Other variants, including 22K, 21K, and 18K, also saw upward movements, opening at Dh476, Dh456.5, and Dh391.25 per gram, respectively. Spot gold remained steady at $4,248.93 per ounce by 9:25 AM UAE time, though it showed signs of easing after an initial uptick. Market dynamics continue to be shaped by ongoing US-China trade negotiations and the anticipation of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve. Ipek Ozkardeskaya, a senior analyst at Swissquote, highlighted the resurgence of trade tensions between the US and China, particularly following China’s restrictions on rare earth metal exports and the US’s threat of imposing 100% tariffs. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently hinted at a potential rate cut by the end of October, with market expectations now placing a near 100% probability on a 25 basis points reduction. Investors are also awaiting the release of September’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data by the US Bureau of Labour Statistics on Friday, which could provide further insights ahead of the Fed’s decision later this month.
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Nigeria police fire tear gas and arrest dozens as protesters demand release of separatist leader
In a tense escalation of tensions, protests demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), turned violent in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Monday. Security forces deployed tear gas, water cannons, and electric barriers to disperse demonstrators, leading to widespread clashes. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots as police arrested dozens of protesters, including a journalist from Agence France-Presse (AFP), who was later released but had his equipment destroyed. The unrest disrupted traffic across major roads, leaving commuters stranded. Kanu, a British citizen and prominent figure in the secessionist movement in southeastern Nigeria, has been in and out of detention since 2015 on charges of terrorism and treason. His case has become a focal point for grievances among the Igbo ethnic group, who allege marginalization by the Nigerian government. Aloy Ejimakor, one of Kanu’s lawyers, confirmed his arrest during the protests. The incident underscores the deepening divide between the government and separatist groups advocating for an independent Biafra.