In a grim development in a high-profile case, human remains presumed to be those of Travis Decker, a man accused of murdering his three young daughters, have been discovered in a remote wooded area near Leavenworth, Washington. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday that preliminary findings suggest the remains belong to Decker, though official identification is still pending. Decker, a 32-year-old former soldier, had been on the run since June 2, when the bodies of his daughters—Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia, aged nine, eight, and five—were found in a secluded campground. His truck and phone were also located nearby. Authorities believe Decker, who was wanted on kidnapping and first-degree murder charges, had been hiding in the rugged, forested terrain of Washington state. The girls’ mother reported them missing on May 30 after Decker failed to return them to her home in Wenatchee following a visit. Investigators revealed that the children died from apparent suffocation, with their wrists bound by zip ties. Decker’s military background, including possible mountain survival training, may have aided his evasion efforts. The remains were found on Grindstone Mountain, just miles from the site where his daughters’ bodies were discovered. A $20,000 reward had been offered for information leading to his capture, and the extensive search led to closures of popular hiking areas in national forests. The case has shocked the community and raised questions about public safety and the challenges of tracking fugitives in remote regions.
作者： admin
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Santos always prepared to consider any takeover offers, CEO says
In a recent statement, Kevin Gallagher, CEO of Santos Ltd, expressed openness to potential takeover offers for the Australian gas producer. Gallagher emphasized his commitment to remaining in his role as long as he retains the confidence of shareholders and the board. This announcement follows the collapse of an $18.7 billion acquisition bid by a consortium led by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) on Wednesday. The deal fell through due to disagreements over commercial terms, particularly concerning capital gains tax liabilities on Santos’ assets in Papua New Guinea, which were revealed to be imminent. A source close to the matter indicated that XRG, ADNOC’s overseas unit, hesitated to proceed under these financial conditions. The news highlights the ongoing strategic considerations within Santos as it navigates the complex energy market.
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British couple held for months by Taliban released from prison
An elderly British couple, Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, who had been detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for nearly eight months, have finally been released. The couple, who had lived in Afghanistan for almost two decades, were apprehended on February 1 while traveling home. Their release was secured through Qatari mediation, according to an official familiar with the case. During the final stages of negotiations, the couple was transferred from Kabul’s central prison to a larger facility. A Qatari official confirmed that the couple will first travel to Qatar for medical evaluations before returning to the UK, despite their long-term residence in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province. The release comes after months of relentless public advocacy by their family. Just six days prior to their release, Faye Hall, an American woman who had been detained with them but was released two months into her captivity, shared with the BBC that the couple’s health had severely deteriorated in prison, stating they were ‘literally dying’ and that ‘time is running out.’
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New York Democratic politicians arrested at ICE jail in Manhattan
On September 18, 2025, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and a group of state and local officials were arrested during a protest at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates detention facilities. The officials sought to inspect the conditions of the 10th-floor holding cells, which a federal judge had recently condemned as inhumane. The protest was organized to ensure compliance with a court order mandating improvements to the facility. Despite their efforts, the group was denied entry and subsequently detained by NYPD and federal agents. The incident marked the latest clash between federal authorities and Democratic politicians critical of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Earlier in the year, Lander had been arrested in the same building while assisting an individual targeted by ICE. The protest also included a separate demonstration led by New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, where dozens of activists blocked the building’s garage entrance, chanting in support of immigrants. Organizers reported that over 75 people were detained across both gatherings. A federal court order issued the previous day had detailed appalling conditions in the detention facility, including overcrowding, unsanitary environments, and a lack of basic hygiene supplies. ICE’s parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, stated that the detainees included individuals facing deportation for criminal convictions. The building was later placed under lockdown due to a bomb threat. No charges were reported to have been filed against those arrested.
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Oil little changed as demand concerns overshadow US rate cut buoyancy
Oil prices remained largely unchanged on Friday, following a decline in the previous session, as concerns over fuel demand in the United States persisted. Brent crude futures dipped slightly by 1 cent to $67.43 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures dropped 4 cents to $63.53. Despite these minor fluctuations, both benchmarks were poised to record a second consecutive weekly gain. The U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday, coupled with signals of further reductions, initially raised hopes for increased oil demand. However, a surprising 4-million-barrel rise in U.S. distillate stockpiles, far exceeding market expectations, reignited fears of weakening demand in the world’s largest oil consumer. IG analyst Tony Sycamore noted that gains in the U.S. dollar and long-end yields further undermined crude oil’s support. Economic data added to the unease, with jobless claims indicating a softening labor market and single-family home building hitting a near 2.5-year low in August. Meanwhile, Russia, the world’s second-largest crude producer, introduced new measures to protect its state budget from oil price volatility and Western sanctions, alleviating some supply concerns. ANZ analyst Daniel Hynes highlighted that President Trump’s preference for low oil prices over sanctions on Russia also eased fears of supply disruptions.
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Zijin Gold launches $3.2 billion Hong Kong IPO, city’s largest in 2025
Zijin Gold International, a subsidiary of China’s Zijin Mining, is set to launch a landmark initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong, aiming to raise HK$24.98 billion ($3.21 billion). This marks the largest IPO in the city this year, according to the company’s prospectus released on Friday. The offering involves the sale of 349 million shares at HK$71.59 each, with trading scheduled to begin on September 29. The IPO will value Zijin Gold at $24.1 billion. The move comes amid a strong performance in the gold market, which has surged nearly 39% this year, benefiting from low-interest rates and global uncertainty. Zijin Gold’s IPO surpasses the recent $1.2 billion offering by Chinese automaker Chery, solidifying its position as the largest in Hong Kong for 2025. The company plans to use the proceeds over the next five years to upgrade and construct existing mines, enhancing its production capabilities. Cornerstone investors, including Singapore’s GIC and private equity firm Hillhouse, have already committed $1.6 billion to the offering. Asset managers BlackRock and Schroders are also participating, each purchasing $120 million worth of shares. Morgan Stanley and CITIC Securities are acting as joint sponsors for the IPO. The spin-off and independent listing of Zijin Gold International are expected to broaden the company’s financing channels and improve overall efficiency.
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North Korea’s Kim Jong Un oversees drone testing, KCNA says
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the testing of advanced unmanned drones on September 18, 2025, as reported by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The tests, conducted at an undisclosed location, focused on enhancing the capabilities of these drones through artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Kim expressed satisfaction with the performance of the ‘Kumsong’ tactical unmanned attack aircraft and an unmanned strategic reconnaissance aircraft, approving plans to further strengthen their operational effectiveness. This marks a continuation of North Korea’s efforts to integrate AI into its military technology, following a similar test of suicide drones equipped with AI in March 2025. In addition to the drone tests, Kim inspected the construction of a large greenhouse farm in Sinuiju, a city bordering China, highlighting the regime’s dual focus on military and agricultural advancements. The developments underscore North Korea’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to bolster its defense capabilities and self-sufficiency.
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Japan PM contender Takaichi to call for income tax cuts, cash payout, Nikkei says
In a significant development in Japan’s political landscape, veteran lawmaker Sanae Takaichi has announced her candidacy for the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Takaichi, widely regarded as a fiscal dove, revealed her campaign pledge on September 19, 2025, in Tokyo. Her platform includes a combination of income tax cuts and direct cash payouts to households, aimed at stimulating Japan’s fragile economy. Additionally, Takaichi advocates for a gradual reduction in the government’s debt-to-GDP ratio, signaling a balanced approach to fiscal management. Takaichi, who aspires to become Japan’s first female prime minister, is considered a frontrunner in the race, alongside Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. She has consistently opposed the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) interest rate hikes and has called for increased government spending to reflate the economy. Her press conference, scheduled for Friday, coincides with the conclusion of the BOJ’s two-day meeting, where the central bank is expected to maintain interest rates at 0.5% but indicate its readiness to raise borrowing costs in the future. Analysts at Mizuho Securities noted that Takaichi’s campaign pledge could alleviate market concerns over Japan’s worsening finances, particularly if it avoids prioritizing the abolition of the consumption tax on food, maintaining monetary easing, and pursuing weak-yen policies—stances she has previously endorsed. The outcome of the LDP leadership race, set for October 4, will determine the successor to outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and could have significant implications for Japan’s economic and fiscal policies.
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Japan’s core inflation slows in August, stays above BOJ target
Japan’s core consumer price index (CPI) increased by 2.7% year-on-year in August, according to data released on Friday. This figure, which aligns with market forecasts, represents the slowest pace of growth in nine months, offering a slight reprieve to households grappling with rising living costs. The core CPI excludes volatile fresh food but includes fuel costs. Additionally, an index that strips away both fresh food and fuel costs, closely monitored by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) as a more accurate measure of underlying price trends, rose by 3.3% in August, slightly down from 3.4% in July. These data points will be critical for the BOJ as it concludes its two-day policy meeting on Friday, where it is widely anticipated to maintain interest rates at 0.5%. The BOJ, which ended a decade-long radical stimulus program last year and raised short-term interest rates in January, has been cautious about further rate hikes due to uncertainties surrounding the impact of U.S. tariffs on Japan’s economy. Despite consumer inflation exceeding the BOJ’s 2% target for over three years, Governor Kazuo Ueda has emphasized the need for prudence in monetary policy adjustments. The BOJ’s July forecasts suggest that price pressures from rising rice and import costs will ease, giving way to more sustainable price increases driven by robust consumption and wage growth.
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FedEx results top targets on cost-cutting, shares jump 5.5% after the bell
FedEx Corporation (FDX.N) has demonstrated resilience in the face of shifting trade policies, reporting better-than-expected quarterly profits and revenue despite significant headwinds. The Memphis-based logistics giant saw its shares surge by 5.5% in extended trading on Thursday, defying Wall Street’s expectations of a decline. This performance was bolstered by robust domestic delivery growth and aggressive cost-cutting initiatives, which helped offset a 3% drop in international export volumes. The U.S. government’s decision to end the ‘de minimis’ exemption for low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong, effective May 2, 2024, has been a major challenge. This policy change alone reduced FedEx’s first-quarter revenue by $150 million, with similar impacts anticipated in subsequent quarters. Chief Customer Officer Brie Carere highlighted that trade policies, including the de minimis exemption’s termination, represent a $1 billion revenue ‘headwind’ for the fiscal year. Despite these pressures, FedEx achieved a 4% increase in overall average daily package volume, driven by a 5% rise in domestic deliveries. The company’s operating margin also improved to 6%, up from 5.2% in the previous quarter, reflecting the success of its $1 billion cost-saving plan. FedEx reported an adjusted profit of $912 million, or $3.83 per share, for the quarter ending August 31, surpassing analysts’ estimates of $3.59 per share. Quarterly revenue reached $22.24 billion, exceeding the projected $21.66 billion. Looking ahead, FedEx forecasts full-year adjusted earnings between $17.20 and $19.00 per share, slightly below the midpoint of analysts’ average estimate of $18.21. The company remains committed to its strategic initiatives, including $500 million in share repurchases and the planned spin-off of its freight segment by June 2026.