Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is grappling with an unimaginable tragedy after four of his family members perished in a helicopter crash. The devastating incident occurred on Wednesday in Ekalaka, Montana, claiming the lives of Bailey’s son Zachary, his wife Kelsey, and their two children, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, seven. The couple’s third child, a 10-year-old boy, was not on board and survived the accident. Bailey and his wife, Cindy, expressed profound grief over the loss, describing it as ‘heartbreaking’ and requesting privacy as they navigate this deeply painful period. The family is drawing strength from their faith, the support of loved ones, and the outpouring of prayers from the community. Bailey, a Republican grain farmer, is currently campaigning for the Illinois governorship in the upcoming election. He previously ran for governor in 2022 but was defeated by Democrat JB Pritzker in a highly competitive race marked by significant financial contributions from both sides. Bailey also sought a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024 but was unsuccessful. He has a history of public service, having served in both houses of the Illinois state legislature, representing southern Illinois. Pritzker, upon learning of the tragedy, expressed his devastation and extended his condolences to the Bailey family. In a statement posted on X, he wrote, ‘Our prayers and deep condolences are with the Baileys in this time of grief. May the memories of their loved ones be a blessing.’
标签： North America
北美洲
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Trump demolishes White House East Wing after saying he won’t touch it
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has initiated the demolition of the White House East Wing, a move that contradicts his earlier assurances to preserve the historic structure. The East Wing, which housed the first lady’s office and ceremonial spaces, is being torn down to make way for a sprawling 90,000-square-foot ballroom, a project that significantly alters the iconic building’s profile. Trump, known for his bold and often controversial decisions, dismissed the East Wing as “never thought of as being much” and described it as “a very small building.” The demolition, expected to be completed by this weekend, marks the largest renovation to the White House in decades. The ballroom, now estimated to cost $300 million—$100 million more than initially projected—will nearly double the size of the White House residence. Trump initially pledged that the East Wing would remain untouched, stating in July that the new construction would “pay total respect to the existing building.” However, further evaluation revealed that demolishing the East Wing was both cheaper and more structurally sound than building an addition. The West Wing and the White House residence remain unaffected by the project. This decision has sparked debate, highlighting Trump’s determination to leave a lasting imprint on the White House, even if it means overriding traditional sensibilities.
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HONOR launches the unbreakable AI smartphone HONOR X9d 5G delivering toughness, power, and innovation in one sleek package
HONOR, a global leader in AI device ecosystems, has introduced the HONOR X9d 5G, a groundbreaking smartphone that combines rugged durability, exceptional battery life, and cutting-edge AI features. Designed for adventurers, professionals, and tech enthusiasts, this device is engineered to withstand the toughest conditions while delivering a seamless user experience. The HONOR X9d 5G has already made history by earning a Guinness World Record for surviving a 6.133-meter drop without a single crack, proving that durability and design can coexist harmoniously. The smartphone features a 6-layer drop-resistant structure and Ultra Bounce Anti-Drop Technology 3.0, offering 112% stronger protection than its predecessors. It also boasts an IP69K water resistance rating and extreme dust endurance, making it a reliable companion for any environment. The device’s 6.79-inch Eye-Comfort OLED display, with a 120Hz refresh rate and 6,000 nits of HDR brightness, ensures clarity even in direct sunlight. Powered by an 8,300mAh silicon-carbon battery, the X9d 5G can last up to two days on a single charge, supported by HONOR’s self-developed anti-aging algorithm for long-term performance. The smartphone also excels in photography, featuring a 108MP main camera with advanced stabilization and AI-powered editing tools for professional-grade results. With intuitive AI features like call translation and meeting summaries, the X9d 5G enhances productivity and connectivity. Available in four stylish colors, the HONOR X9d 5G will be available for pre-order in the UAE from October 24 to 30, starting at Dh1,299, with exclusive gifts for early adopters.
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The decades-old exemption that lets Trump reconstruct the White House
President Donald Trump’s ambitious plan to demolish the White House East Wing to construct a new ballroom has ignited a fierce debate over historic preservation and presidential authority. Despite earlier assurances that the project would not disrupt the existing structure, the proposed demolition has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and conservation groups, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has urged a public review process.
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Portland Trail Blazers coach and Miami Heat player arrested in NBA gambling case
In a significant crackdown on illegal sports betting, a National Basketball Association (NBA) player and coach have been implicated in separate cases, as reported by CBS News, a partner of the BBC. Miami Heat player Terry Rozier is among six individuals arrested in connection with alleged involvement in illegal sports gambling. Reports suggest that Rozier and other players may have feigned injuries to manipulate game outcomes. In a parallel investigation, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups is one of 31 individuals charged in a case involving illegal poker games linked to organized crime figures. Law enforcement sources revealed these details ahead of a scheduled news conference by New York prosecutors and FBI Director Kash Patel at 10:00 EST (15:00 BST). The BBC has reached out to the NBA for comment. Federal investigators have been scrutinizing unusual betting activity tied to a March 2023 game in which Rozier, then playing for the Charlotte Hornets, logged just nine minutes and scored five points against the New Orleans Pelicans, citing a sore right foot. This performance starkly contrasted with his season averages of 35 minutes and 21 points per game, raising suspicions of game manipulation for gambling purposes.
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Putin-Trump summit on hold, says White House
The highly anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been indefinitely postponed, according to a senior White House official. The decision comes as Moscow continues to reject calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, complicating diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict. Last week, Trump had announced plans to meet Putin in Hungary to broker peace, but Russia’s insistence on territorial concessions from Ukraine has stalled negotiations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that no specific dates for the summit had been finalized, emphasizing that both leaders had not committed to a timeline. Russia reiterated its demands for control over the Donbas region in a private communique sent to the U.S., effectively dismissing Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire based on current frontlines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed cautious optimism about Trump’s compromise but doubted Putin’s willingness to support it. Meanwhile, European leaders have urged Washington to maintain a firm stance on an immediate ceasefire, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte scheduled to meet Trump to discuss European perspectives on the crisis. The EU is set to reinforce its support for Ukraine at an upcoming summit in Brussels, followed by a meeting of European leaders in London to strategize next steps.
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Trump says he canceled meeting with Putin
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he has decided to cancel his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump explained that the decision was driven by his belief that the meeting would not yield the desired outcomes. ‘We canceled the meeting with President Putin,’ Trump stated. ‘It just didn’t feel right to me.’ He further elaborated, ‘It didn’t feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I canceled it, but we’ll do it in the future.’ The cancellation comes just a week after Trump revealed plans to meet Putin in Budapest, Hungary, following a phone conversation between the two leaders. However, by Tuesday, Trump had already expressed doubts about the meeting’s effectiveness, calling it ‘a waste of time.’ The abrupt change in plans underscores the ongoing complexities in US-Russia relations and raises questions about the future of diplomatic engagements between the two nations.
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US kills three in second strike on alleged drug boat in the Pacific
In a significant escalation of its anti-drug operations, US forces have conducted a second strike in the Pacific Ocean targeting a vessel allegedly involved in drug smuggling. The strike, carried out on Wednesday, resulted in the deaths of three individuals, with no US casualties reported. This follows another strike in the Pacific a day earlier, which killed two people. Both vessels were suspected of transporting drugs along international trafficking routes, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. These strikes mark the eighth and ninth such operations since September 2, with most previous actions concentrated in the Caribbean Sea. Hegseth emphasized the US commitment to combating narco-terrorism, stating, ‘These strikes will continue, day after day. These are not simply drug runners—these are narco-terrorists bringing death and destruction to our cities.’ A video accompanying Hegseth’s social media post appears to show a boat engulfed in flames after being struck by a US bomb, followed by a second airstrike targeting debris in the water. President Donald Trump asserted his legal authority to continue such operations in international waters, though he hinted at seeking congressional approval if the campaign expands to land targets. ‘We’re allowed to do that, and if we do (it) by land, we may go back to Congress,’ Trump stated. The administration is reportedly prepared for a broader anti-drug effort on land, which would mark a significant escalation. The strikes have already claimed at least 37 lives, including a recent attack on a semi-submersible vessel in the Caribbean. Two survivors from a strike last week were repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador, with Ecuador releasing one man due to lack of evidence. Meanwhile, tensions between the Trump administration and Colombian President Gustavo Petro have intensified, with Trump accusing Petro of being an ‘illegal drug leader’ and threatening to cut US subsidies to Colombia. Experts note that Colombia and Ecuador’s Pacific coastlines are key routes for drug trafficking to the US. While most US strikes have occurred in the Caribbean, DEA estimates suggest the Pacific is the primary conduit for cocaine bound for the US. The operation has deployed 10,000 US troops, along with numerous military assets, to the Caribbean, though details on the identities of those killed remain scarce.
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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.