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EXCLUSIVE: 21 Days After NAF Aircraft Crash, Families Say No Bodies Recovered From Ondo Swamp

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EXCLUSIVE: 21 Days After NAF Aircraft Crash, Families Say No Bodies Recovered From Ondo Swamp

The aircraft crashed at about 9:13 a.m. on Monday, October 6, 2026, minutes after taking off from Benin Airport. It was carrying 20 passengers and five crew members.

Twenty-one days after the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed into the Obe-Rebby swamp in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, not a single body of the 25 victims has been recovered, SaharaReporters can report.

The aircraft crashed at about 9:13 a.m. on Monday, October 6, 2026, minutes after taking off from Benin Airport. It was carrying 20 passengers and five crew members.

The aircraft was en route to Lagos after developing an engine fault overnight in Benin City.

Three weeks after the crash, however, families of the victims told SaharaReporters that they had not seen a single body to give their loved ones a befitting burial.

“As we speak today, October 27, not one body has been shown to us. Not one. How do we bury someone we cannot see? How do we give them their last respect?” a relative of one of the victims who was on the Abuja-Benin-Lagos run told SaharaReporters.

“They told us the swamp swallowed everything, but we saw how they recovered bodies in other crashes abroad. Why is this one different? They have abandoned our people inside that swamp.”

Multiple family members who spoke to SaharaReporters said the military had not provided them with a detailed briefing on the recovery operation since the initial press statement confirming the crash.

“First, they said it was a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. We proved it was an Abuja-Lagos passenger flight that slept in Benin for engine repair. Now they are silent on recovery. They have not called us for identification or DNA or anything,” another family source said.

“It is as if they want us to forget. But we cannot forget people we have not buried.”

SaharaReporters learnt that the swamp, located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, is a dense, waterlogged mangrove forest that has complicated recovery efforts.

Local divers and fishermen initially volunteered to assist with the operation but were later asked to stay away by security operatives.

A community source in Ilaje told SaharaReporters: “The place where it crashed is a deep swamp. You cannot enter without a swamp buggy. At first, local boys went there with NAF, but now nobody is allowed. They say NAF brought its own team. Since then, no update.”

Efforts to obtain a reaction from NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, were unsuccessful as of press time.

Calls and messages sent to his known phone line were not returned.

SaharaReporters had, in two previous exclusives, revealed how NAF 931 began its journey from Abuja on Sunday, October 5, developed an engine fault in Benin and remained grounded overnight before crashing on Monday morning while travelling to Lagos.

Sources had told the newspaper that the aircraft was supposed to fly directly from Abuja to Lagos but had to stop in Benin to disembark some passengers. It was during the stop that the engine fault was detected, forcing technicians to work on the aircraft throughout the night.

The aircraft was cleared to fly the following morning, a decision that ended in tragedy a few minutes after take-off, at about 9:13 a.m., in the swampy outskirts of Igbokoda.

SaharaReporters also reported that the NAF’s two ATR-42MP aircraft, originally acquired and configured for maritime patrol, anti-piracy, anti-oil bunkering, surveillance and search-and-rescue operations under the 81 Air Maritime Group in Benin, had over the years been converted into VIP shuttles for politicians, top government officials and other civilians.

Findings showed that NAF 930, the sister aircraft to the crashed NAF 931, was used in 2022 as the first aircraft to land at the newly constructed Ekiti Cargo Airport, ferrying the then Minister of Aviation and other dignitaries.

Civilians had also openly posted on social media about flying on both aircraft for non-operational, administrative and personal trips.

CBD COP17: Nigeria urges developed countries to fulfil $30bn annual biodiversity funding pledge

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CBD COP17: Nigeria urges developed countries to fulfil $30bn annual biodiversity funding pledge

Nigeria has urged developed countries to fulfil their commitment to mobilise at least $20 billion annually by 2025 and $30 billion annually by 2030 to enable developing countries to effectively implement biodiversity conservation initiatives.

The Minister of Environment, Balarebe Lawal, made the call while delivering Nigeria’s national statement during the high-level segment of the ongoing 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia.

“Excellencies, as Founding Chair of the Ministerial Alliance for Ambition on Nature Finance, Nigeria continues to champion the mobilisation of adequate and predictable resources for biodiversity. We call for the fulfilment of the commitment to mobilise at least US$20 billion annually by 2025 and US$30 billion annually by 2030 for developing countries,” Mr Lawal said.

He said Nigeria was pleased to join the global community to reaffirm its collective commitment to protecting biodiversity and securing a sustainable future for present and future generations.

“Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and our shared ambition to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030,” he said.

Nigeria’s biodiversity targets

Nigeria completed its revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025–2030 in June 2025 and submitted it to the CBD Secretariat.

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The strategy provides a national roadmap for halting and reversing biodiversity loss during its six-year implementation period.

It aligns Nigeria’s conservation priorities with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and establishes 23 national targets tailored to the country’s socioeconomic and environmental circumstances.

The targets cover critical sectors, including agriculture, forestry, infrastructure and ecosystem conservation.

The strategy also adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, integrating biodiversity conservation into government policies and development planning while encouraging the participation of stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

It further emphasises private-sector accountability and environmental risk management, including efforts to help businesses assess and disclose their dependencies on nature.

Nigeria has projected an implementation budget of approximately $474 million over six years, highlighting the need to mobilise resources to address longstanding funding gaps.

Translating commitments into action

Mr Lawal urged governments and delegates to translate their biodiversity commitments into concrete action supported by adequate financing, strong partnerships and measurable results.

He said Nigeria had continued to advance implementation since COP15, including validating its revised NBSAP in June 2025, with 23 national targets aligned with the global biodiversity framework.

He added that Nigeria had submitted its Seventh National Report to strengthen implementation, monitoring and accountability.

Mr Lawal said the country remained committed to the global 30-by-30 target of conserving at least 30 per cent of the world’s land and inland waters, as well as coastal and marine areas, by 2030.

He said Nigeria was pursuing this ambition through protected-area management, ecosystem restoration and marine conservation.

“Following the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, we are advancing the necessary processes to strengthen our contribution to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction,” he said.

The BBNJ Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, provides a framework for conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Mr Lawal also said Nigeria was integrating biodiversity conservation, climate action and land restoration through the Global Environment Facility-supported Net Zero Nature Positive Project.

He stressed that effective biodiversity conservation must be inclusive and equitable, noting that Nigeria was promoting gender-responsive land governance, women’s access to land and natural resources, and their meaningful participation in environmental decision-making.

He added that the government remained committed to ensuring that women and vulnerable communities actively participated in and benefited from biodiversity conservation efforts.

Nigeria calls for stronger financing partnerships

Citing Decision 16/34 of the previous biodiversity conference, Mr Lawal advocated stronger collaboration between environment and finance ministers to integrate biodiversity considerations into national budgets, fiscal policies and development plans.

READ ALSO: CBD COP17: Experts explore new conservation models to advance Africa’s 30×30 goals

He said international financing commitments must be delivered through predictable, accessible and additional resources, complemented by domestic resource mobilisation, private-sector investment and reforms to harmful incentives.

He also highlighted the importance of technology transfer, capacity-building and institutional strengthening, particularly for developing countries.

Nigeria, he said, was calling for greater coordination among the three Rio Conventions on biodiversity, climate change and desertification to maximise available resources, minimise duplication and accelerate implementation.

“Mr President, COP17 must mark a decisive turning point—from commitments to delivery. Our global ambition must be matched by adequate financing, equitable access to the means of implementation, gender-responsive action and measurable progress,” he said.

Mr Lawal said Nigeria was ready to strengthen international partnerships and work with other parties to achieve the shared 2030 biodiversity goals and secure a nature-positive future for all.

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Israel has voted – but the results will be messy. Here’s how its next government will be formed

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Israel has voted – but the results will be messy. Here’s how its next government will be formed

Exit polls in Israel’s 2026 elections suggest Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition will be significantly smaller than the bloc of parties opposing him in the next Knesset (parliament). Arab parties also look likely to dramatically increase their representation.

Yet, with neither bloc likely to gain the 61 seats required for a majority, there is a long and complicated road ahead before we can say with certainty who will be Israel’s next Prime Minister.

Polls should always be treated with caution. In Israel this is especially true, for several reasons. First, too many unpredictable factors are at play in Israel’s electoral system – a nationwide proportional representation system with a high threshold (four seats) to enter the 120-seat Knesset.

Polling certain sectors, such as the ultra-Orthodox (13% of eligible voters) and Israel’s Arab citizens (18%), is very difficult due to operational and trust issues.

This year, pollsters were unable to map the views of an exceptionally high 618,000 new voters and an unprecedented 650,000 reservists and diplomats who vote in “double envelopes”, which are counted only after election day.

Finally, 810,000 of Israel’s 7.3 million eligible voters live abroad, but tens of thousands of them flew in especially to cast their votes this year.

With no camp likely able to form a majority, how will Israel’s next government be formed? What are the steps, and what political deals will be needed to build a coalition?

Step 1: endorsements

Ordinarily, Israel’s presidency is a largely symbolic position. But following elections, the president is tasked with granting a party leader the authority to negotiate forming the next government.

After the official election results are handed over to the president, the “recommendation parade” begins. In 2026, President Isaac Herzog will invite representatives of all parties that passed the minimum threshold (3.25% of valid votes) to his residence in Jerusalem to ask them to recommend a candidate to be the next prime minister. This could be Likud’s prime minister Netanyahu, his rival Gadi Eisenkot – former IDF chief of staff and leader of the Yashar! (translated as “straight” or “honest”) party. It could also be anyone else, or even no one. Netanyahu remains the head of the interim government, with some limitations, until a new government is formed. This could take months.

When consultations conclude, the president summons the person he judges has the best chance of forming a government, based on the combined number of Knesset seats held by the parties that recommended this candidate. At this stage, it looks like Eisenkot would get the first go at forming a government.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog will summon the candidate who has the best chance of forming government.
James Ross/AAP

Other considerations the president can weigh are which candidate has received the most recommendations and who leads the biggest party (Netanyahu’s Likud is predicted to be the biggest, as at time at publication).

However, there have been cases where the head of a relatively small party received the mandate from the president and successfully formed a government. In 2021, it was Naftali Bennett who, despite winning only seven seats, became prime minister, even though Netanyahu’s Likud was the biggest party with 30 seats.

The president’s chosen candidate has 28 days, and an additional 14 days if they ask for it, to form a government. If they fail, the president repeats the process, asking parties to again recommend a candidate (same or different). If no government is formed after two such rounds and following a third 21-day-long round run by the Knesset, the country goes to the polls again.

Step 2: political negotiations

To form the government, a chosen candidate begins marathon deliberations with party representatives, aiming to form a consensus government platform. The magic number required is 61 Knesset members to join the coalition (a majority government), or fewer but with additional support from outside the coalition (a minority government).

At this stage, each party tries to maximise its “extortion” leverage to secure as much power as possible. For example, this could be in the number and importance of ministries, control over budgets, and funding for its constituents and affiliated institutions.

At the top of the list this time will be the draft bill addressing the exemption from army service of tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men.

The Eisenkot bloc unanimously agreed to ensure enlistment of those men into the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). The Haredi parties (Shas, United Torah Judaism) will demand enshrining the exemption. The Netanyahu-aligned right-wing Religious Zionist party supports drafting the ultra-Orthodox, but through negotiating with the Haredi parties rather than forcing it on them.

Traditionally, Arab parties have stayed out of government and used coalition negotiations to gain budgets – for example, for infrastructure in Arab villages or for Arab municipalities with debts (due to crime, corruption and inefficiency).

But in 2026, the Ra’am party, led by Mansour Abbas, wants to join a no-Netanyahu coalition – as it did in 2021. This is why number two on its list is a Zionist, former senior police officer Yoav Segalovitch.

However, the party faces opposition from within Eisenkot’s bloc, as Zionist parties have stated they would not sit in the coalition with Arab parties.

Israel’s Palestinian policy is a thorny issue for Eisenkot’s bloc. While Netanyahu’s right-wing party partners encourage and facilitate settlement activity and aspire to annex the West Bank, the spectrum of views on this issue is wider on the other side.

For example, the Democrats (made of Labor and left-wing Meretz), headed by Yair Golan, support talks with the Palestinians on a Palestinian state. Yisrael Beytenu’s (Israel is our home) Avigdor Liberman, and Beyahad’s (Together) Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid reject Palestinian sovereignty as unacceptable after October 7.

Above all, the 2026 Israeli election is not about Netanyahu, but about the direction the Jewish state will take in the coming years. It may take a few more weeks before the answer is known.

Women with camel’s feet and ass’ teeth: Halloween costume inspiration from medieval England

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Women with camel’s feet and ass’ teeth: Halloween costume inspiration from medieval England

What makes a monster? This is a question which relies on when in history you are asking it.

Understandings of monstrosity are culturally inflected. English professor Jeffrey Jerome Cohen calls the monster “an embodiment of a certain cultural moment”.

The people of early medieval England (the period from around the mid 400s until the Norman invasion in 1066) did not celebrate Halloween as a festival for encountering spirits. But they certainly had their monsters, even if it can be difficult for us to understand fully why particular monsters were interpreted by their early English audience as “monstrous”.

Characters who operate outside expected gender roles, such as Grendel’s mother in Beowulf, might have seemed particularly unsettling. Some monsters looked human, like the general Holofernes in the poem Judith; he is distinguished as monstrous through his drunkenness and violence.

And yet, there are characters in early medieval English literature that still seem monstrous and grotesque even by today’s cultural standards.

Despite being culturally shaped, many characteristics of monstrosity have remained consistent over the years: bodily difference, hybridity and acting outside of expected norms can all contribute to something being a monster.

For those needing a last-minute costume for Halloween, or wanting to try something different this year, here are three unusual medieval ideas.

Grendel from Beowulf

The Old English poem Beowulf is probably the best-known piece of literature surviving from this period. It exists in one copy, a manuscript from about the year 1000.

It features three characters – Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon – who each threaten human society and are defeated by the hero Beowulf. Each would make a great costume, but Grendel might be the most striking.

The Beowulf-poet generates fear in the poem partly through not describing Grendel’s physical appearance.

The Old English calls him as a grimma gæst (grim spirit) and a wiht unhælo (unholy creature), and we learn that at his first attack he takes 30 men – suggesting he must be very large.

Limited physical details mean those dressing as Grendel have scope for their own interpretation – ambiguity fuels the fear that Grendel creates.

But one feature that is crucial for an accurate Grendel costume is his fingers; he seems a rather extreme version of Edward Scissorhands:

at the end of each nail
was a sharp tip, most like steel,
heathen talons, the terrible spikes
of that awful warrior.

Women with boars’ tusks

The Wonders of the East is a series of descriptions of marvellous creatures.

There is a clear sense of us and them in their depiction. The creatures live in geographically distant places; their bodies often have a mix of human and other characteristics; and their actions can be strange. All of this contributes to their monstrosity.

athletics Half woman, half boar.

Creatures in The Wonders of the East often have a mix of features from humans and other animals.
British Library

One example of these hybrid bodies is the

women who have boars’ tusks, hair down to their heels and oxen’s tails from their loins. These women […] have camel’s feet and ass’ teeth.

Wonders of the East also describes women who “have beards down to their chest” who “hunt all kinds of wild animals” – acting outside traditional gender roles could be viewed as monstrous.

If you choose to dress as these figures the act of hunting would be as important to the costume as the beard.

St Christopher

Another story found in the Beowulf-manuscript is that of St Christopher the martyr.

While a saint might feel an odd choice for a Halloween dress up, the early English version had quite a distinctive look:

He had the head of a dog, his locks were exceedingly thick, his eyes shone as brightly as the morning star, and his teeth were as sharp as a boar’s tusk.

And yet, his actions, because he seeks God, actually reveal him to be less monstrous than his hybrid body might suggest.

Monstrosity, then, was complex, even in this early period.

Parents have one of Australia’s most important jobs, so why don’t we have policy for them?

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Parents have one of Australia’s most important jobs, so why don’t we have policy for them?

Australia has no shortage of policies relating to children.

In fact, these policies are often in the headlines. We invest billions of dollars each year trying to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Yet we continue to see stubbornly high rates of child maltreatment and family violence, mental ill-health, school disengagement, youth offending and child protection system involvement.

The problem may not be that we are doing the wrong things. It may be that our policy architecture lacks the most important piece of the puzzle: parents.

athletics A composite image of a baby and an old man with text saying Who Cares

From birth to death, we all need to be cared for, but as years of headlines have shown, Australia’s care economy faces big challenges. In this four-part series, experts examine how the country’s increasingly for-profit models of care and the government policy that spurred them on are failing those they’re supposed to protect – and what can be done about it.

Inconsistent support

For three decades, I have examined child maltreatment, child protection systems and family welfare.

Across these areas, one theme repeatedly emerges: we are remarkably willing to invest in systems that respond to problems, but much less willing to invest in parents – the people who have the greatest influence on children’s lives.

Parenting is one of the strongest determinants of child wellbeing. Warm, responsive, consistent parenting is associated with better mental health, stronger educational outcomes, healthier relationships, and lower risks of abuse, neglect, violence and offending.

But for all its importance, parenting remains largely invisible in policy.

athletics Parents sit at a table either side of their daughter to help her study

Parenting is largely invisible in policy aimed at children.
sofatutor/Unsplash, CC BY

Support for parents is fragmented, inconsistent, and often only available once families reach crisis point. We have pockets of excellent practice, but these don’t add up to a coherent national parenting support system.

Imagine if we approached health this way. We would never expect better health outcomes if we only invested in hospitals and ambulances, and not GPs and vaccination programs.

Yet when it comes to parenting, we often treat support as optional, episodic, or targeted only to “problem” families.

Missed opportunities

One of the most significant findings from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study was not simply that child maltreatment is common. It was that many Australians experience multiple forms of harm.

Abuse, neglect, family violence, bullying and adversity rarely occur in isolation. Harms accumulate across childhood and often have lifelong consequences for health, education, employment and relationships.

These findings reinforce the fact that we can’t rely solely on statutory child protection services to solve problems that often emerge long before a notification is made.

By the time a child comes to the attention of child protection authorities, opportunities for prevention may already have been missed. This is why many researchers and policy leaders have advocated for a public health approach to child wellbeing and safety.

Rather than focusing on responses after serious harm has occurred, public health approaches seek to reduce risk factors, strengthen protective factors and provide support across the whole population.

But to do this, we need to include parents.

Invisible parents

Parents go unmentioned across a broad range of policy areas.

In youth justice, debate often focuses on policing, detention, sentencing and community safety. Yet decades of research show many young people who enter youth justice systems have experienced significant adversity, including abuse, neglect, family violence and family disruption.

When governments discuss youth offending, parenting is often mentioned only in the language of responsibility for what has happened – not with a preventive lens.

If we genuinely want fewer young people entering justice systems, we must think ahead. That means supporting parents and carers long before problems emerge or become entrenched.

The same pattern appears in child sexual abuse prevention.

In the midst of last year’s safety crisis in early childhood centres, we interviewed parents about their role.

athletics Some toy cars on a floor rug with small children in the background

Parents want to help keep their kids safe but often don’t know how.
BBC Creative/Unsplash, CC BY

They want to keep children safe, but many lack confidence, resources, opportunities to learn skills in talking with their child about body safety and consent, or knowing what grooming or other signs of harm look like.

The same lesson emerges from contemporary debates about consent and respectful relationships education.

Across Australia, schools are being asked to deliver education on consent, respectful relationships, gender-based violence and online safety. Schools have a crucial role to play, but they can’t do it alone.

Research with school leaders, parents and communities consistently points to the importance of school–family partnerships. Children develop attitudes about consent and respect through everyday interactions with parents, siblings and the broader community, not just at school.

When parents are engaged and supported, school-based violence prevention education becomes more powerful. When parents feel excluded, uncertain or ill-equipped to continue conversations at home, opportunities for learning are diminished.


Read more:
Australia’s childcare safety changes are turning one. Are they working?

What would better policy look like?

Social policies with a bigger role for parents would normalise parenting support as something for all families, not just those in crisis.

It would make evidence-based resources easy to access through trusted universal services such as maternity care, child health services and schools.

Effective policy should recognise that parenting challenges evolve over time. The support needed by a parent of a newborn differs from the support needed by parents navigating online harms or adolescent mental health difficulties, for example.

A modern parenting strategy would also promote diversity, seeking to support all manner of care arrangements and cultures.

Supporting parents isn’t about blaming them, or suggesting they alone determine children’s outcomes. Children’s wellbeing is also shaped by a range of things, from housing to poverty to education.

But because parenting is so important, it deserves more attention, not less.

If we are serious about doing better at protecting and raising children, parents are key. This means not treating parenting as an invisible private matter and recognising it as essential social infrastructure.

David Hockney: the celebrated artist is bigger in this immersive digital spectacle, but not closer

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David Hockney: the celebrated artist is bigger in this immersive digital spectacle, but not closer

David Hockney is no stranger to Australia. In 2016, the National Gallery of Victoria staged a major exhibition of the British artist’s later works. In 1999, the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) acquired one of Hockney’s most ambitious works, A Bigger Grand Canyon. Earlier this year, the NGA showcased its significant holdings of his work in the exhibition David Hockney: Portraits in Print.

Now the “immersive experience” David Hockney: Bigger and Closer (not smaller and further away) has found its way to Sydney’s Carriageworks.

Created by Hockney in collaboration with London production house and venue Lightroom, where it debuted in 2023, Bigger and Closer (not smaller and further away) is a four-screen documentary that traverses Hockney’s oeuvre, career and philosophy over roughly 50 minutes, featuring massive whole-of-room digital projections, a soundtrack of original music by American composer Nico Muhly and narration by the artist himself.

red carpet A large room with a bright digital artwork of a forest projected onto walls and floor, with people sitting on benches and stepped seating

Hockney was an early adopter of digitally-assisted drawing, using the iPad and iPhone.
Jacquie Manning/Carriageworks

The relatively recent death of Hockney, in June, gives this event a melancholy new context, though the work itself is far from melancholy in mood or tone.

Indeed, it invites visitors to “Love Life”, a saccharine slogan also deployed in the show’s merchandise.

Portrait of a prolific artist

Hockney in 50 minutes is a tall order. Across seven decades he was prolific and restless; at various points a draftsman, painter, stage designer, printer, poster-maker, photographer, writer and multimedia artist.

He was a big and contradictory character, too. Till the end, he was simultaneously flat cap and bigger splash: the proud working class Yorkshireman and the sophisticated Los Angeles transplant, pop artist and globetrotting dandy.

The diversity and experimentation at the heart of Hockney’s work are captured in both the form and the content of Bigger and Closer. Inside the show’s large rectangular space, enormous projected artworks and imagery unfurl and repeat across the space.

We are reminded of Hockney’s versatility and creativity across genres at every turn. One particularly effective section features Hockney’s brilliant and witty stage designs for productions of Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress and Puccini’s Turandot.

red carpet A large room with digital projections on the walls showing sketches. People sit on benches in the dark.

Audiences get glimpses of Hockney’s process in Bigger and Closer.
Jacquie Manning/Carriageworks

Celebratory rather than probing

Other sections are less convincing.

Hockney delivers what feels like a wilfully un-fact-checked TED Talk on the use of perspective in the history of painting. It recalls his fascinating but irritating book Secret Knowledge: Rediscovering the Techniques of the Old Masters, which made extravagant, disputed claims about the role of the camera obscura in the work of various painters.

This whole section contributes little to our understanding of Hockney or perspective.

Across the narration we hear Hockney’s voice from different periods of his life, and his tone and timbre are familiar and engaging. But what he says is sometimes grating. We are treated to bland remarks (“By putting more in you get more reality”) and dubious assertions (he claims “nobody had painted LA” before he did).

Even when Hockney is on firmer ground, inviting us to look closely at nature, he presents this as a new idea – as if other great artists, photographers and designers hadn’t also urged us to do exactly this over the long tradition of art-making.

red carpet A darkened room with projections on the walls showing repeated birds-eye views of an artist sketchbook with artist's hands at work.

Hockney himself narrates the entirety of Bigger and Closer.
Jacquie Manning/Carriageworks

Frustratingly, we get no sense of Hockney’s engagement with the fraught politics of his times. Was he an advocate for the gay community that he painted and to which he belonged, in its struggles for equality and against oppression through the ‘60s and ’70s? How did his art chronicle the AIDS crisis that affected his personal circle so profoundly? How did the social and demographic changes and struggles of his adopted city impact his work?

The answers to these complex questions might take more time and critical distance to unravel and aren’t to be found in Bigger and Closer, which is celebratory in its approach.

Hockney sometimes comes off as a “one-percenter” of the art world. The documentary shows him driving an open top car to the strains of Wagner, embarking on tours of Europe, editing Paris Vogue and hanging out at the opera.

Spectacle without intimacy

I was certainly moved at points by the sheer ambition and beauty of Hockney’s work, and this is a sophisticated and attractive technical spectacle, with its multi-screen design, digital effects and lively colour palette.

But Bigger and Closer left me unsatisfied. I wanted other voices and critical views. Most of all, I yearned to encounter an artist, a body of work and a world in all their materiality and complexity.

This digital spectacle is no substitute for contemplating Hockney’s sketchbooks, or encountering ’70s paintings such as Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, with their unique combination of stillness and charge, renaissance allusion and hip modernity.

It only hints at the humour and humanity of his collaged photographic portraits or the playfulness of his portrait series.

For those not familiar with Hockney, this is an inventive gateway to his oeuvre. But while the artist is certainly bigger, we emerge no closer to truly understanding his life, his work or its place in culture.

David Hockney: Bigger and Closer (not smaller and further away) is at Carriageworks, Sydney, until January 24.

Grenada wants Nigerian tech entrepreneurs to grow its economy through visa-free access

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Grenada wants Nigerian tech entrepreneurs to grow its economy through visa-free access

Grenada anticipates its youths and innovation business owners to gain from understanding transfer and broadened organization chances following the Caribbean country’s choice to give Nigerians visa-free entry.

This is according to the Chief Executive Officer of its Investment Migration Agency (IMA), Thomas Anthony.

His remarks follows Grenada’s current choice to approve visa-free entry to Nigerian business owners and financiers as part of efforts to deepen financial and organization ties in between both nations.

Nigeria’s innovation sector advanced

Anthony informed Nairametrics that Nigeria’s innovation sector was advanced than Grenada’s, revealing hope that much easier travel would motivate Nigerian business owners to check out the island and share know-how with regional organizations.

  • “Our youths can gain from those business owners that would always concern Grenada as an outcome of this chance. That there will be understanding transfer,he stated.

The effort is likewise anticipated to produce chances for Grenadian organizations to reach a bigger market, especially in innovation and other sectors where business owners from both nations might work together.

  • “The market size will grow so that the Grenadians likewise because exact same tech area, for instance, will have a larger market to which they can access,” Anthony stated.

Grenada eyes larger market for business owners

Anthony stated Grenada has a population of about 120,000, while the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has roughly 700,000 individuals and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) more than 20 million.

He kept in mind that services based in Grenada might gain from the complimentary motion of individuals, products and services within the OECS and CARICOM, providing business owners access to a more comprehensive local market.

Grenada, a little island country in the eastern Caribbean, makes up the primary island of Grenada and the smaller sized islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Called the “Spice Isle,” it is a significant local manufacturer of nutmeg and other spices.

Anthony stated the nation likewise required to broaden its population to support long-lasting financial development and sustainability.

He stated Grenada has about 120,000 citizens throughout 133 square miles, while an approximated 350,000 Grenadians reside in the diaspora.

  • “We require to grow the population in the nation to make the economy sustainable, practical,” he stated.

Visa-free gain access to might reduce organization travel

Anthony stated the plan would make it much easier for Nigerian business owners and potential financiers to check out Grenada without needing to transit through the United States or the United Kingdom, where Nigerians might need transit visas.

He indicated a twice-monthly direct flight to Antigua and Barbuda as another travel choice for reaching the Caribbean.

  • “Getting to Grenada or to the Caribbean will now no longer suggest needing to go through the United States or the UK where you would need to have a visa, and we understand the difficulties with Nigerians getting visas to a few of these locations,” he stated.

The much easier travel plan is anticipated to support organization gos to, financial investment expedition and exchanges in between business owners from both nations.

Anthony likewise revealed hope that Nigeria would present mutual visa-free gain access to for Grenadian residents.

  • “My hope is that there will be reciprocity. Visa-free gain access to for Grenadians into Nigeria, which will enable them to find out and grow and bring originalities back to Grenada,he stated.
  • “Both countries can take advantage of having this mutual visa-free gain access to.”

Grenada looks for financial investment and organization links

Anthony discussed that the IMA works for the Grenadian federal government and procedures citizenship applications from foreign nationals who purchase the nation.

He stated the company motivates potential candidates to check out Grenada and evaluate readily available financial investment chances before choosing which job to pursue as the basis for a citizenship application.

He included that eliminating the requirement for a transit visa would make it simpler for Nigerians thinking about the nation’s financial investment migration program to check out chances face to face.

Visa-free effort

The visa-free effort was revealed in June by Grenada’s Honorary Consul in Nigeria, Bidemi Sonoiki, as part of efforts to reinforce financial and organization ties in between the 2 nations.

The effort is planned to alleviate company travel, motivate financial investment expedition and assistance academic and industrial exchanges.

Relations in between Nigeria and Grenada have actually likewise established considering that the facility of Grenada’s Honorary Consulate in Lagos in 2022. The engagement has actually supported closer federal government relations, private-sector cooperation and the facility of the Nigeria-Grenada Chamber of Commerce.

Both nations are checking out business chances throughout tourist, health care, farming, agro-processing, logistics, education, monetary innovation, renewable resource and realty.

👨🏿‍🚀TechCabal Daily – Safaricom cleans house

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👨🏿‍🚀TechCabal Daily – Safaricom cleans house

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Banking

FirstRand goes bank shopping in Kenya, once again

Mary Vilakazi, FirstRand Bank CEO/Image Source: Bloomberg

FirstRand has actually invested about 14 years window-shopping Kenya’s banking sector. The South African banking group might lastly be all set to purchase

What took place? FirstRand, the moms and dad business of First National Bank (FNB )and Rand Merchant Bank(RMB), has actually stepped up its look for a Kenyan lending institution. Mary Vilakazi, the bank’s president, stated the group would rather purchase a smaller sized bank at the best rate and grow it than pay a premium for among Kenya’s most significant loan providers.

No target has actually been called. FirstRand is likewise looking beyond banking at services such as insurance coverage and financial investment banking as it attempts to develop a more comprehensive East African operation.

Describe like I’m brand-new here: FirstRand is not brand-new to Kenya. In 2012, it opened a representative workplace in Nairobi, primarily through RMB, to set up facilities and project-finance offers. A representative workplace can not take deposits or run a complete retail bank.

Even then, FirstRand stated it wished to purchase a mid-sized Kenyan loan provider. It never ever did. High appraisals made acquisitions challenging, so the group invested years running on the marketplace’s edges rather.

In between the lines: Kenyan banks made KES 241.65 billion ($1.9 billion) in combined revenues in 2015, up 16.3%. At the exact same time, smaller sized lending institutions are under pressure to construct adequate capital to satisfy a KES 10 billion ($77 million) minimum by 2032, which might develop more prepared sellers.

FirstRand for that reason does not require to win a bidding war for a prize bank. Purchasing a smaller sized loan provider would provide it a banking licence, deposits, and consumers, then let it include FNB’s retail items and RMB’s corporate company gradually.

Zoom out: South Africa’s banks are crowding into Kenya. Nedbank has actually finished its 66% acquisition of NCBA, while Standard Bank currently runs Stanbic and is trying to find more scale.

FirstRand has actually enjoyed Kenya for more than a years. The intriguing part now is whether increasing combination lastly produces a bank at a cost it wants to pay.

Update your service today

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Business

Safaricom fires 118 staff members over scams

Image Source: Safaricom

Safaricom fired 118 workers for scams in the year to March, approximately one every 3 days. It is the 4th year in a row that the number has actually increased at Kenya’s biggest telecom business and M-PESA’s operator.

What took place? Terminations leapt from 113 in the previous year. Safaricom likewise released 3 disciplinary cautions and referred 14 cases to police. The misbehavior consisted of theft, falsifying business records, and unauthorised access to client call records.

Safaricom independently recuperated KES 953 million ($7.4 million )in inflated commissions paid to representatives after its tracking systems flagged irregular payments. The business has actually not connected those healings straight to the 118 staff members who were fired.

Discuss like I’m brand-new here: Scams is especially delicate at Safaricom since the business rests on a lot more than phone records. M-Pesa processed KES 41.68 trillion ($323 billion) throughout 46.4 billion deals in the year to March. Workers, dealerships and representatives can for that reason access client identities, SIM registrations and a payments network utilized by 10s of countless individuals.

Safaricom has actually handled expert scams for several years, consisting of unauthorised system gain access to, deceptive SIM swaps and abuse of M-PESA procedures. It has actually gradually included automatic tracking and machine-learning tools to capture suspicious activity.

In between the lines: More terminations do not instantly indicate scams is becoming worse. Safaricom has actually broadened the operations its scams reporting covered in the last few years, while much better analytics can reveal misbehavior that formerly went undetected.

A better step is whether real losses and effective attacks fall. Safaricom states its brand-new SIM-swap system, which runs 18 automated checks before a line can be changed, has actually currently cut deceitful swaps by 65%.

What to see: Safaricom is significantly taking delicate choices far from specific workers and representatives and putting them into automated systems. If those controls work, future scams reports must ultimately reveal more than individuals getting captured. They ought to reveal less effective scams efforts in the very first location.

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Fintech

Moniepoint is reorganizing its engineering and item groups

Image Source: Moniepoint

On October 19, Moniepoint, a Nigerian fintech unicorn, notified staff members of an internal restructuring impacting functions throughout backend, frontend, mobile, quality control, and item management. The business states some positions will end up being redundant as it relocates to smaller sized groups that own items from start to complete. Moniepoint has actually used impacted staff members 5 months’ income to leave willingly, while stating it will initially try to find appropriate functions somewhere else in business. The business has actually not divulged the number of staff members will be impacted.

Discuss like I’m brand-new here: Moniepoint ended up being a unicorn in 2024 after raising $110 million, purchased a 78% stake in Kenya’s Sumac Microfinance Bank in March, and states its subsidiaries now process more than $400 billion in yearly digital payments. In October, one worker stated the business worked with more than 120 individuals, while Moniepoint has formerly stated it was having a hard time to fill numerous senior technical functions. In August, Moniepoint phased out MonieWorld, its UK-Nigeria remittance item, less than 18 months after launch.

Why the restructuring? The fintech states the restructuring becomes part of a routine tactical evaluation as business moves into its next development phase. It is transferring to a platform-group design, where smaller sized groups own particular item locations, and it is likewise developing platform designer functions to manage the shared innovation beneath those groups. The restructuring and development show a business still broadening, however ending up being more selective about where it puts individuals and cash.

The larger image: Moniepoint is likewise signing up with a tech-industry shift towards smaller sized groups. Block, the moms and dad business of Square and Cash App, cut about 40% of its labor force previously this year, mentioning AI and a leaner organisational structure. Jumia and Zap Africa have actually likewise connected labor force modifications to effectiveness and AI. Moniepoint states AI is not the factor for this restructuring, although the business has actually gone over internally how AI might enhance product-management work.

Do not miss out on Moonshot 2026 for anything on the planet!

Real scale needs moving beyond surface-level combinations to robust execution. We’ve filtered the sound out of Moonshot 2026, optimising the conference strictly for high-calibre connections in between start-up creators, international monetary operators, business leaders and people rewiring Africa’s technical structures. Join us on October 28 & & 29, 2026. Get your ticket

Financing

South Africa’s CrissCross gets Circle support for stablecoin growth

James Cope, basic supervisor at CrissCross. Image source: James Cope on LinkedIn

Stablecoins are having their minute in African payments, and Circle, the business behind USDC, is backing the facilities that wishes to make them in fact helpful.

What occurred? CrissCross, a South African cross-border payments business, has actually gotten a concealed financial investment from Circle Ventures, Circle’s business endeavor arm. The financial investment was made through CrissCross’s moms and dad business, Stitch Group. The cash will assist CrissCross broaden its payment connections and liquidity throughout Africa, while developing out stablecoin settlement for business consumers.

Discuss like I’m brand-new here: Stablecoins such as USDC are digital tokens developed to keep a steady worth versus a currency, generally the United States dollar. That makes them helpful for moving dollar worth in between markets. African fintechs are starting to construct around this concept.

Flutterwave revealed a Circle Ventures financial investment in July and included USDC settlement to its payments platform. Onafriq has actually likewise been dealing with Circle on managed stablecoin settlement throughout its network of more than 40 African markets. CrissCross partnered with Velocity in October to link institutional stablecoin liquidity to regional collections and FX throughout more than 30 African markets.

Why Circle is interested: Every brand-new payment platform that constructs USDC into its facilities possibly produces another path for the stablecoin to move through the monetary system. Sub-Saharan Africa likewise got more than $205 billion in on-chain crypto worth in between July 2024 and June 2025.

CrissCross states it runs throughout more than 30 markets and supports more than 20 currencies. The financial investment must assist it deepen those regional connections and provide business more methods to move in between stablecoins and regional currencies.

CRYPTO TRACKER

The World Wide Web3

Source:

Coin Name

Present Value

Day

Month

Bitcoin $79,869

— 0.30 %

— 5.46 %

Ether $2,390

— 2.19 %

— 14.03 %

XRP $1.31

— 2.20 %

— 19.85 %

Solana $ 103.84

— 1.51 %

— 13.17 %

* Data since 06.49 AM WAT, October 28, 2026.

Opportunities

  • Dar Blockchain and The Hashgraph Association have actually released a four-month incubation program to assist 18 Web3 endeavors from the Hedera Africa Hackathon end up being investment-ready start-ups. Backed by $ 900,000, the program will offer technical assistance, organization mentorship, item advancement support, and access to possible financiers. A minimum of 5 start-ups are anticipated to be prepared for seed financial investment by January 2027, when the program concludes with a financier Demo Day. Discover more

in other news image

Composed by: & Emmanuel Nwosu and Yemi Kareem

Modified by: Emmanuel Nwosu & Ganiu Oloruntade

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BREAKING: 33 Miners Died Of Suffocation In Niger State NSCDC Custody, Investigative Panel Reveals

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BREAKING: 33 Miners Died Of Suffocation In Niger State NSCDC Custody, Investigative Panel Reveals

The finding marks a significant advancement in the examination into the deaths of the 37 believed prohibited miners, who passed away on September 17, 2026, while being apprehended by the NSCDC Niger State Command in Minna.

An independent investigative committee developed by the Nigerian Government has actually discovered that 37 individuals who passed away in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State passed away from asphyxiation, or suffocation.
The committee chairman and retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Jonathan Kure, divulged the finding on Tuesday while providing the panel’s report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja.

The finding marks a significant advancement in the examination into the deaths of the 37 thought prohibited miners, who passed away on September 17, 2026, while being apprehended by the NSCDC Niger State Command in Minna.

The victims were amongst lots of individuals apprehended throughout operations versus believed prohibited mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto locations of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

Their deaths set off public outrage and raised major concerns about detention conditions, the treatment of suspects in security companies’custody and the scenarios surrounding the mass deaths.

The Nigerian Government consequently made up a 10-member independent investigative committee on the regulation of President Bola Tinubu to develop the reason for the deaths and figure out whether carelessness, misbehavior or other misbehavior added to the occurrence.
The committee was likewise mandated to examine the scenarios surrounding the victims’arrest and detention and advise proper disciplinary steps, payment where suitable, and safeguards versus a reoccurrence.

NSCDC Initially Blamed Suspected Disease Outbreak

Following the discovery of the bodies, the NSCDC Niger State Command at first associated the deaths to a thought illness break out, mentioning that medical exams would identify the real cause.
In its preliminary account, the command stated the suspects had actually been apprehended throughout operations versus prohibited mining which the bodies were transferred at the General Hospital in Minna for assessment.
However, reports about the conditions in which the detainees were held raised even more issues about what occurred inside the detention center.
A survivor informed the Associated Press that about 65 detainees had actually been packed into an inadequately aerated cell and had a hard time to breathe.

The report likewise stated detainees had actually banged on the cell door to alert officers to their condition.

The panel’s finding that the victims passed away from asphyxiation represents a considerable advancement in developing the scenarios surrounding the deaths.

Following the event, the Minister of Interior directed the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC commandant and 20 other officers pending the result of the examination.

The federal government stated the probe was planned to offer a transparent account of the event and develop obligation for any misdeed.

Tunji-Ojo had actually alerted that no officer would be secured if discovered culpable, directing the NSCDC management and appropriate workers to comply with the private investigators and protect all records and proof linked to the deaths.

The committee was likewise charged with identifying whether neglect, misbehavior, complicity or breaches of responsibility took place throughout the victims’ arrest and detention.

The deaths likewise triggered demonstrations in Minna, the Niger State capital, as citizens and other worried Nigerians required responses over the occurrence.

The state federal government consequently revealed a three-day grieving duration for the victims and cancelled a set up political rally following the disaster.

How ‘spacewalking’ underwater made me feel like I was really in space

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How ‘spacewalking’ underwater made me feel like I was really in space
The SEA STAR aquanaut team throughout a simulated, undersea “spacewalk.”
(Image credit: Michaela Musilova)

I was breathing simply fine through my life support group, however I kept feeling a desire to check that whatever was okay with my “spacesuit” before going out on this “spacewalk.” I have actually used several kinds of spacesuits in the world throughout my profession, however for the very first time in my life, I understood that I could not simply stop to breathe the air outside if there were an emergency situation. That’s due to the fact that I was undersea.

On this trip, I was leading a simulated area objective undersea called SEA STAR. My “spacesuit” was really diving equipment, and the simulated spacewalksor EVAs (Extra-Vehicular Activities), consisted of trips where we checked out undersea environments. Being undersea, if we experienced a significant issue with our equipment, we would have needed to treat it as seriously as if we were astronauts on the International Space StationThere was no instant “out.” This was major.

Before this undersea objective, I had worked as the leader of almost 40 analog objectives that simulated crewed objectives to the moon and MarsThe objective of these kinds of objectives is to evaluate what living and operating in lunar or Martian environments may be like. We study whatever from the psychology of living in severe conditions, or in seclusion, to the innovation that astronauts may utilize to finish those objectives effectively.Checking spacesuit innovation is likewise a vital part of these analog area objectives. These fits are generally a much easier variation of the ones astronauts utilize in area, which can weigh around 310 pounds (141 kgs) when completely geared up with life support group.

Analog spacesuits typically weigh an optimum of 30 pounds (14 kg). While there are lots of distinctions in between fits developed for usage in area and these matches developed for screening on Earththe greatest one is that, on an analog objective, team members can open their helmets and breathe the outdoors air if needed.

Scuba “spacesuit” devices for simulated “spacewalks” throughout the SEA STAR objective. (Image credit: Michaela Musilova)
Astronauts in area do not have that benefit. Neither do aquanauts, those carrying out a simulated area objective undersea.

Aquanauts invest a minimum of 24 hours undersea in a so-called state of saturation. That’s a physiological condition attained by an individual who breathes undersea enough time for the body’s tissues to soak up the optimum possible quantity of inert gas(like nitrogen), for a particular depth and pressure.

Water dripping into our matches or into our undersea environment can present severe threats for the team, along with illness connected to the greater pressures undersea, among other difficulties distinct to this environment.

This is what pressed me to be additional comprehensive, and maybe even a bit paranoid, when getting ready for my diving “spacewalks.” While diving, the risks of your devices stopping working or decompression illness can be as deadly as a few of the troubles astronauts deal with throughout their spacewalks. That’s why we follow rigorous procedures when preparing to go on undersea EVAs and throughout the trips themselves.

Images from Michaela Musilova's aquanaut mission.

A SEA STAR crewmember carrying out a simulated “spacewalk” undersea. (Image credit: Michaela Musilova)
As a knowledgeable scuba diver, I wasn’t worried about the diving element of the objective itself. In numerous methods, it was a lot easier than some dives in pitch black water I carried out outdoors ocean or cavern dives. For these EVAs, I was more on edge due to the fact that I was the Commander of the SEA STAR team living 22 feet(7 meters )undersea in the station, called the Jules ‘Undersea Lab, in Florida. Being accountable for other individuals’s lives made me additional careful and likewise more anxious than typical when diving.

In spite of the numerous obstacles of these undersea EVAs, these experiences and lessons found out can teach us a lot about what we still require to enhance for future long-duration area objectives.

Our aquanaut “spacesuits” were basically the like scuba equipment, with the exception of 2 essential devices that aren’t constantly needed for typical dives. Those were gloves and flashlights. We required the gloves as defense from a variety of consider the environment around us, like barnacles and other sharp natural developments. They likewise used electronic cameras and vacuums for ecological cleansing undersea more tough, which was a great approximation for how gloves restrict astronauts’ mastery throughout spacewalks.

The undersea environment around us had extremely low presence, which is why the flashlights were a compulsory part of our EVAs. They assisted us to browse through the darkness and discover each other. Even still, with simply the little flash of light we might just see a number of feet ahead of us. That is why it was likewise crucial that we collaborated and moved side-by-side.

Excellent interaction abilities were another vital part of our undersea simulated area objective. Before each EVA, we prepared a strategy, discussed backup strategies and discussed emergency situation treatments. Throughout the EVA, we utilized basic scuba diving indication language to interact, and we produced some brand-new mission-specific signals. This visual interaction is really beneficial throughout simulated area objectives on land, too, particularly in circumstances when our interactions innovations have actually not worked correctly.

No matter just how much we prepared, however, the worry of the unidentified and of getting lost can still get to a team. A typical security procedure when diving is to securely go back to the surface area if you get lost or separated from your group and can not discover them. Throughout the SEA STAR objective, we prepared on remaining undersea for the complete five-day period of our objective. That suggested that such an alternative ran out the concern, other than obviously in emergency situation situations.

Personally, I took pleasure in the obstacle of the low exposure in brand-new surface. It permitted me to refine my orientation and navigation abilities, along with my capabilities as a leader in tough environments. I was more alert than I possibly required to be, as soon as I dove out of our immersed station, I went directly into my preferred mode: expedition. Regardless of not having the ability to see quite ahead of me, and all while keeping a careful eye on my crewmembers, I lastly really seemed like an astronaut on a spacewalk. Darkness was all around me, however my decision and interest moved me towards checking out the unidentified.

You can follow Dr. Michaela Musilova at her site and on social networks: @astro_michaela (Instagram, TikTok and Threads), @Dr. Michaela Musilova (Facebook) and @astro-michaela.bsky.social (Bluesky).

Dr. Michaela Musilova is an acclaimed astrobiologist, explorer, expert speaker and author. Michaela has actually been performing space-related research study at organizations worldwide, consisting of NASA, ESA, CalTech, the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope and numerous others. She was the Commander of 40 simulated objectives to the Moon and Mars– the most objectives resulted in date.

WATCH: Jayson Tatum hits OT game-winner & gets historic 40-point game vs. Nets

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WATCH: Jayson Tatum hits OT game-winner & gets historic 40-point game vs. Nets

Outdoors sound can be rather a lot to handle in the NBA. Jayson Tatum is all too knowledgeable about that. He began his profession as a winner and now needs to keep that custom going. Things have actually gotten harder, too, with a viewed beef with Jaylen Brown. The Boston Celtics star does not appear too anxious. All he appreciates is including more entries to the win column. When the rough video games and clutch circumstances roll around, he addresses. He showed that throughout his outrageous game-winner versus the Brooklyn Nets.

Tatum breaks internet with OT game-winner vs. Nets

The Celtics are now Jayson Tatum’s group, and not a single soul can object to that. Everybody understands the ball will remain in his hands in the last seconds of a video game, whether Coach Joe Mazzulla directs it or not. Doubts stuck around about whether he might manage the pressure after an odd year following an Achilles injury. Those concerns were resolved in the Celtics’ 125-124 win over the Nets.

Tatum got a turn-around shot to beat the buzzer in overtime and seal the win.

Celtics fans definitely went wild after Tatum’s shot entered.

JAYSON TATUM. GAME-WINNING @TISSOT BUZZER-BEATER TO SEAL IT FOR THE CELTICS IN OT ⏰ Everyone Gets 24 https://t.co/UwK9VKPJeq– NBA (@NBA) October 28, 2026

“Jayson Tatum lookin like the MVP lmao,” a fan stated.

Another passionate NBA viewer might not assist however toss shade at a particular Philadelphia 76ers gamer, “If u ever thought Tatum should’ve been traded over brown at any point in their time in Boston together, go kick rocks. Tatum is winning MVP this year. His world we’re just living in it.”

Another fan kept invoices and wished to highlight the discourse surrounding the Celtics star, “It gets lost every season how clutch Tatum is, but that’s 2 games in 4 this season where he’s just hit shots everytime he’s been called upon.”

Tatum was terrific outside the clutch, too. Coach Mazzulla delegated him with a team-high 42 minutes, and he provided. He dropped 40 points on 50% shooting while going 81.8% from the free-throw line. The Celtics super star was likewise an offending glue guy, dropping 8 helps without dedicating a single turnover versus the Nets.

Defensively, Tatum was likewise secured. He got 5 rebounds and included a block. All of it grew out of control into the Celtics’ 3rd win of the season.

Celtics & & Tatum get historical records vs. Nets

The game-winner wasn’t the only thing Jayson Tatum might boast in this win over the Nets. He likewise broke a couple of records.

For beginners, Tatum extends his lead in 40-point, 5-rebound, and 5-assist video games before turning 29 in Celtics history. The list goes as follows

Rank Call No. of 40/5/5 Games
1. Jayson Tatum 17
2. Larry Bird 11
3. Paul Pierce 6
4. John Havlicek 3
Dee Brown 3
6. Antoine Walker 2
7. Bob McAdoo 1
Rajon Rondo 1
Kyrie Irving 1
Jaylen Brown 1
Payton Pritchard 1

Tatum is the fastest Celtics gamer to reach 100+ points, 25+ rebounds, and 25+ helps. The Celtics super star presently has 112 overall points, 25 rebounds, and 32 helps for the 2026-27 NBA season. This isn’t the only record where he sits next to Bird.

Tatum ended up being just the 2nd gamer in Celtics franchise history to tape 40+ points and 8+ helps without devoting a single turnover. Bird is the only gamer to have actually done this two times. He did it versus the Portland Trail Blazers in 1988 and the Orlando Magic in 1990, per Dick Lipe of NBC Sports.

Tatum wasn’t the only one to get a piece of Celtics history versus the Nets. Paul George likewise went crazy on defense. The veteran was turned over to play 36 minutes and went off on the protective side of the ball. George ended up with 2 takes to suppress the Nets’ offense. As an outcome, he is now balancing 2.3 takes per video game, the most out of any gamer in Celtics history. The historical ranking goes as follows.

Rank Call SPG
1. Paul George 2.3
2. Rajon Rondo 1.9
3. David Wesley 1.7
Larry Bird 1.7
5. Kenny Anderson 1.6
Ron Mercer 1.6
Marcus Smart 1.6
8. Antoine Walker 1.5
9. Paul Pierce 1.4
Dee Brown 1.4
Charlie Scott 1.4

The season is still wish for the Celtics. Tatum is showing he can bring Coach Mazzulla’s expectations and plans on his back when required.

More Celtics News:

  • Jaylen Brown exposes there is a little bit of dispute with previous co-star Jayson Tatum
  • How Paul George set brand-new record for points in a Celtics launching

  • Jayson Tatum & & Paul George-led Celtics get roasted after blowing 22-point lead in loss to Pistons

Khloe Kardashian Ex Lamar Odom Joins OnlyFans, Teases What Fans Will See

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Khloe Kardashian Ex Lamar Odom Joins OnlyFans, Teases What Fans Will See

Lamar Odom Clarifies Comments About Marrying Ex Khloe Kardashian for Fame

Lamar Odom is shooting his chance at a brand-new endeavor.

The retired NBA star introduced an OnlyFans page, which he shared to his Instagram Stories Oct. 27, and teased what customers can anticipate to see.

“People hear OnlyFans and automatically think one thing,” Odom told TMZ in a statement, “but I’m not here to tell you what you will or won’t see.”

The 46-year-old– who was wed to Khloe Kardashian from 2009 to 2016– likewise offered insight into why he chose to take the court in a brand-new arena.

“I’ve lived a pretty wild life, and trust me, there are still a few surprises left,” he continued. “I’ve always been an open book, but there are some chapters people haven’t seen yet.”

And Odom will have a colleague by his side when he signs up with the OnlyFans team, as his sweetheart Rachel Bradley Revealed she had actually signed up with the adult material platform on her Instagram Stories

E! News has actually connected to representatives for Odom and Bradley for remark however has actually not yet heard back.

Obviously, Odom has actually been no complete stranger sharing his life with the world through the years, specifically when it concerns his battles with dependency.

After suffering a near-fatal overdose in 2015, the basketball star was jailed and charged with driving under the impact in Las Vegas in January. That experience, however, assisted him discover his method back onto the ideal course.

Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images

“Right now I’m totally sober– I do not even consume alcohol,” Odom– who pleaded innocent to the Las Vegas charges– stated throughout a look on Page Six Radio in April. “If you do your education, dependency you experience a brain illness, much like cancer or any other illness. I do not believe anybody would want to have cancer.”

The previous Los Angeles Laker included, “So, me being informed on illness, the increasingly more I get informed, the a growing number of it’s simpler for me to remain sober.”

And now, Odom is confident his experience can influence others.

“If I might simply assist the typical individual and provide faith and hope that they can conquer it,” he informed U.S.A. Today in March, “then that’s most likely among the reasons the Lord spared me.”

For more stars, like Odom, who have actually signed up with OnlyFans through the years, keep reading …

Cindy Ord/WireImage

Elle Fanning

The starlet developed an OnlyFans account to investigate her function for Margo’s Got Money Troubleswhich focuses around a college dropout who turns to the platform to support herself and her newborn.

“We did create an account for the writer’s room,” she validated to Individuals in March 2026, “so I might have a look at how the site is.”

Amanda Bynes

Amanda Bynes

Draw out the dancing lobsters. The previous Nickelodeon star signed up with OnlyFans in 2025– with one huge catch.

“Disclaimer: I’m doing onlyfans to chat with my fans through dm’s,” she kept in mind on Instagram Stories at the time. “I won’t be posting any sleazy content.”

Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Shannon Elizabeth

Upon introducing her account in April 2026, the American Pie starlet “grossed seven figures in her first week on the platform,” according to Creators Inc. CEO Andy Bachman

Cash wasn’t the factor why Shannon signed up with OnlyFans.

“I’ve spent my entire career working in Hollywood, where other people controlled the narrative and the outcome of my career,” she informed Individuals “This new chapter is about changing that, showing off a more sexy side no one has seen, and being closer to my fans.”

Can Nguyen/Shutterstock

Jessie Cave

The Harry Potter alum revealed in March 2025 she had actually signed up with the platform to concentrate on really specific niche and non-sexual material.

“It’s very much geared toward people who have an interest or fetish with hair,” Jessie said on her Before We Break Up Again podcast. “I really am choosing to think of this as an empowering moment for me because I have been this very straight, prim actress for a lot of my career and this is very much a way of me saying, ‘Okay, I’m doing something that is not normal. This is weird and me and a bit kinky. And why not?’”

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Denise Richards

The Genuine Housewives of Beverly Hills alum signed up with OnlyFans in 2022 after her child Sami Sheen— who she shows ex-husband Charlie Sheen— began her own account on the subscription-based platform understood for hosting NSFW material.

“My daughter got a lot of backlash for opening the account,” she informed KTLA at the time. “I had heard of OnlyFans but I wasn’t educated on what OnlyFans was and once I started to learn about it, I really think that the creators of the site really took the best of every platform of social media and put it into one site. You own your content. The other sites, they can sell your content.”

Gilbert Flores/Variety/REX/ Shutterstock

Tyler Posey

The Teenager Wolf star introduced an OnlyFans account in late September 2020. He informed E! News the list below year that he discovered his profession on the site “mentally draining.”

“You really feel like an object on OnlyFans,” he shared. “I’m trying my hardest to be artistic as possible with the content I put out ’cause I don’t want it to just be porn, you know? That’s not what I do and I don’t want to take it away from the people that are doing that. I just want to be artistic and stay in touch with my fans.”

Prince Williams/WireImage

Blac Chyna

The Rob & & Chyna alum was among the very first superstars to sign up with OnlyFans in 2020, she gave up producing material on the site 3 years later on after getting baptized and accepting faith.

Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Jaime Pressly

The My Name Is Earl alum released her account in May 2026.

“I’ve always believed in evolving with the times,” she told Variety in a statement. “This is another way for me to connect directly with my audience, on my own terms, with creativity and intention.”

“I’ve loved meeting fans at various Comic Cons,” she continued, “and the excitement of having those real face to face moments made me want to seek options like OnlyFans.”

Gilbert Flores/WWD by means of Getty Images

Amber Rose

The design revealed her choice to sign up with and produce personal material on the website in 2020. According to the description on Amber’s OnlyFans page, her account is “your chance to experience something.”

Arthur Mola/Invision/AP/ Shutterstock

Bella Thorne

The previous Disney Channel star released her OnlyFans account in August 2020 to “remove the stigma behind sex, sex work, and the negativity that surrounds the word SEX itself by bringing a mainstream face to it.”

“I wanted to bring attention to the site,” she composed on X, previously called Twitter. “The more people on the site the more likely of a chance to normalize the stigmas.”

Mike Marsland/ WireImage

Trisha Paytas

Before weding spouse Moses Hacmon in 2021, the YouTuber had a financially rewarding profession on OnlyFans.

“OnlyFans did great in 2020, so I was like ‘I’m only doing OnlyFans this whole year,'” she informed Polyester publication. “I kind of followed the money.”

Trisha continued, “It was fun. I had a summer of it and I made a ton of money and I loved it. I probably would have continued longer but I met Moses and I was like, “OK, I’ll stop now.'”

Broadimage/Shutterstock

Jordyn Woods

The Life of Kylie alum signed up with the subscription-based platform in 2020. In an interview with Complex at the time, she revealed her enjoyment to take part on a website where everybody can be their the majority of “authentic” selves.

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/Getty Images

Cardi B

The rap artist released her OnlyFans account in August 2020 amidst the release of her blockbuster “WAP.” The account included special behind-the-scenes video footage of the single’s video, in addition to some material from her life.

Charles Sykes/Bravo

Dorinda Medley

The Genuine Housewives of New York alum signed up with site in 2020 as a surprise to a few of her fans, though she has actually considering that deactivated her page.

John Nacion/Variety through Getty Images

Sonja Morgan

In uniformity with her Genuine Housewives of New York costar, Morgan revealed her OnlyFans account in July 2020. Upon the launch, she provided an unique complimentary subscription for fans that subscribed in the very first week.

Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock

Tana Mongeau

The Youtuber signed up for the OnlyFans life in 2020, composing on X, “TANA UNCENSORED IS FINALLY HERE AND THAT’S ALL IMA SAY.”

Instagram

Lily Allen

The “Smile” vocalist released an OnlyFans represent her feet in 2024.

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Austin Mahone

The “Say You’re Just a Friend” vocalist signed up with OnlyFans in 2020, composing in the description of his page, “Message me if you wanna see the real good stuff.”

John Sciulli/Getty Images for boohooMAN

Tyga

The “Rack City” rap artist began an OnlyFans account in 2020, though he later on deactivated it to release Myystar, another subscription-based platform for material developers.

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China says takes Mbappe apology ‘seriously’ after Mao remark

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China says takes Mbappe apology ‘seriously’ after Mao remark

BEIJING: China stated Wednesday (Oct 28) it took “seriously” an apology from Real Madrid super star Kylian Mbappe after remarks he made satirizing Mao Zedong stimulated a social networks storm and saw Spanish football tugged off state television.

Buffooning previous leader Mao – blamed by historians for countless deaths – is taboo in China and the French gamer’s remarks saw him end up being the most recent foreign sports figure to anger Beijing.

The clip of the video interview with French program The Bridge – considering that removed – saw Mbappe discuss being entertained by a web meme of his face photoshopped onto “some guy, think he’s a Chinese dictator”an evident recommendation to Mao.

“My comment was ill-judged and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologise to everyone my words have upset,” the France captain stated in a declaration in French, Chinese and English on Tuesday.

Foreign ministry representative Guo Jiakun informed a routine rundown on Wednesday: “We take seriously the apology the individual concerned has made.”

That might not be the end of the matter.

La Liga, which has actually seen the broadcast of its matches suspended in China, stated it “deeply regrets the offence that Kylian Mbappe’s recent comments have caused among Chinese fans”

Chinese drink giant Dongpeng, which throughout this year’s World Cup ran adverts with AI-generated pictures of Mbappe, stated Tuesday it had actually ditched its collaboration with the gamer, as did dairy companies Mengniu and Milkground.

CMG, which supervises public broadcaster CCTV, stated it had actually chosen to suspend broadcasts of the world’s second-richest football league after England’s Premier League.

Bottles of electrolyte beverages by Dongpeng Beverage Group including pictures of French football star Kylian Mbappe are shown for sale at a grocery store in Beijing, on Oct 27, 2026. (Photo: AP/Andy Wong)

The 27-year-old continued to deal with a gush of criticism from Chinese web users on Wednesday, a few of it racist.

“His remarks were hurtful toward China and the Chinese people, so they cannot be translated,” composed one user on social networks platform Weibo.

Mbappe’s initial joke about Mao was not reposted – or had actually been scrubbed – from China’s securely managed social networks.

Chinese social networks app Xiaohongshu had on the other hand frozen Mbappe’s account, where he has more than a million fans.

The very same was done on the Weibo app, with a notification mentioning that “the user has been banned from following due to violating laws or the Weibo Community Convention”

Some Chinese media reports stated international brand names like Dior and Hublot had actually eliminated their Mbappe-related material on Weibo.

An AFP search on Dior and Hublot’s Weibo page with Mbappe’s Chinese name produced no outcomes.

“ESSENTIAL LESSON”

Offline too the Mbappe brand name seemed under risk.

When AFP checked out the Adidas flagship shop in Beijing’s Sanlitun shopping district, Real Madrid t-shirts were readily available for sale, however none bearing the striker’s name.

Mbappe product consisting of informal jerseys, beanies and caps stay readily available on retail app Taobao.

Chinese state media have actually formerly applauded Mbappe as a “footballing sensation” and “talent”with the forward well-liked by fans in the nation.

His face is plastered on signboards, on sodas and throughout social networks.

Mbappe is likewise often passionately described as “Guigui”indicating “turtle” in Chinese, for his similarity to a character from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles motion picture.

Other significant abroad sports leagues have formerly irate China.

China suspended sponsorship handle the NBA while the state broadcaster pulled NBA video games off Chinese tv for a year in October 2019.

This followed Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey tweeting “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong”describing demonstrations Beijing called separatist and seditious.

“In this era of economic globalisation, an increasing number of celebrities are stepping onto the global stage, engaging with fans and business partners from diverse cultural backgrounds,” the main People’s Daily stated in a viewpoint piece today.

“Learning how to respect different nations and cultures is an essential lesson.

“Appreciating the history, culture, social customizeds and nationwide beliefs of others is an essential concept for cross-border interaction, a requirement of conduct extensively supported by the global neighborhood.”

Singapore, Malaysia test emergency response to simulated fire on stranded RTS Link train

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Singapore, Malaysia test emergency response to simulated fire on stranded RTS Link train
JOHOR BAHRU: Emergency responders from Singapore and Malaysia put their cross-border coordination and rescue procedures to the test in a workout replicating a fire on board a stranded Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link train.The joint field training workout, hung on Tuesday (Oct 27), included firefighting operations, medical triage and casualty evacuation, in addition to collaborating the release of emergency situation workers throughout the border.It comes as the cross-border rail service prepares to start guest operations in February 2027, after its opening was pressed back from completion of this year.The workout concluded with an event at the RTS Wadi Hana Depot in Johor Bahru on Wednesday, went to by Singapore’s Second Minister for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Sim Ann and Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Malaysia Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (best)and Singapore’s Second Minister for Home Affairs Sim Ann (left) go to the closing event of the RTS Link Malaysia-Singapore Cross-Border Joint Field Training Exercise (FTX) 2026 at the Wadi Hana depot in Johor Bahru on Oct 28, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Zamzahuri Abas)
Ms Sim stated the workout showed efficient interaction, release and command and control amongst getting involved firms. Malaysia’s Operations Centre at Bukit Chagar and Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Integrated Operations Centre “kept real-time interaction” throughout the simulated occurrence, enabling both sides to share details and collaborate their action, Ms Sim stated.Each RTS Link train will bring more than 600 guests and perform at brief periods, with each journey– in between 2 nations, “each with its own laws, companies and command structures”– taking just 5 minutes, she kept in mind.”An emergency situation on board a congested and fast-moving train leaves little space for mistake. By performing the reaction prepares properly and promptly, we will be much better prepared to conserve lives, reduce damage and bring back normalcy rapidly,” stated Ms Sim. She stated the workout offered a chance for companies to determine locations for enhancement before the service starts operations.“An exercise is valuable not because everything goes perfectly. It is valuable because it allows us to learn safely, candidly and together,” she stated.Mr Saifuddin stated these workouts foster trust in between both nations and would much better prepare firms to handle interruptions to the train service.“An interruption to the RTS Link might no longer originate from a single instructions. Physical attacks, cyber invasions, technical failures, and info crises can get to the very same time and throughout borders,” he stated. “Technology informs us what is occurring, however trust chooses how quickly, how with confidence, and how decisively we act together when crisis strikes,” he included.
Video of the workout revealed to press reporters revealed a train stalling in the middle of the track above the Straits of Johor due to a “fire”. Casualties with burn injuries were stretchered out by emergency situation responders while travelers who were unscathed were accompanied out. The workout included a number of Malaysian firms, consisting of the Royal Malaysia Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Ministry of Health and Malaysian Armed Forces.Singapore was represented by ICA, the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force.It followed a tabletop workout in September, throughout which officers from both nations examined emergency situation action treatments covering fires, medical emergency situations, natural dangers and security occurrences.The 4km RTS Link will link Woodlands North in Singapore with Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru.Created to alleviate blockage at the Causeway, among the world’s busiest land border crossings, the rail link will have the ability to bring approximately 10,000 travelers per hour in each instructions.Customizeds, migration and quarantine centers will be co-located at both stations, permitting guests to clear both nations’ migration checks before boarding.Previously this month, authorities from both nations revealed that guest services would be postponed till February 2027, as more time was required to finish screening, get independent security accreditation and safe and secure regulative approvals.RTS Link’s operator, RTS Operations, anticipates to finish last system tests and trial runs by Dec 31, with the modified opening date topic to the needed security accreditation and regulative approvals.Facilities deals with both sides of the border are significantly total, the authorities stated.

Hegseth proposes ‘ambitious’ US-ASEAN defence framework at Philippine summit

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Hegseth proposes ‘ambitious’ US-ASEAN defence framework at Philippine summit

CEBU: United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth proposed the production of an “ambitious” brand-new US-ASEAN defence structure on Wednesday (Oct 28), informing the bloc’s leaders it might assist them browse “critically important” years ahead.

The United States has actually been looking for to enhance its local defence collaborations in the last few years, mentioning the requirement to support what it terms a “free and open Indo-Pacific” as China has actually progressively bent its muscles in the area.

Hegseth, speaking before a conference with defence chiefs from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Cebu, applauded what he called the area’s “pragmatism” and “proud nationalism”

“We’re not going to agree on everything, nor do we need to,” he stated, requiring cooperation where shared interests overlap.

“As we look to the future in this region, I’d like us to be even more ambitious… we propose that we work together to develop a US-ASEAN Framework for Defence Cooperation,” Hegseth stated, without providing information.

“A practical framework that guides our cooperation over the next several years. I will note a critically important next several years.”

He included that the United States was prepared to start the task as Singapore presumes the chairmanship of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in the coming year.

The grouping consists of not just the bloc’s 11 member states however agents from the United States, Japan, China, Australia and others.

Hegseth likewise required the fortifying of “maritime domain awareness” and innovative cooperation amongst marine forces.

“These are not symbolic things; they are concrete demonstrations of what serious partners do, serious partners train together, learn together, plan together, and build the confidence and competence necessary to prevent conflict,” he stated.

United States ally the Philippines has actually been taken part in years of conflicts with China over contested locations of the South China Sea.

China’s military and coast guard existence in objected to locations of the vital waterway almost doubled in September, Manila stated this month.

Japanese defence chief Shinjiro Koizumi satisfied Hegseth previously on the sidelines of the Cebu occasion, where they talked about the requirement to carry out “an effective denial defence in the First Island Chain”a referral to islands that lie in between China and the open Pacific.

The 2 allies likewise devoted to continued “close coordination” on munitions production.

Mediawatch: Stuff urged to shelve cuts to regional journalism

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Mediawatch: Stuff urged to shelve cuts to regional journalism

news

Mayors and regional leaders have actually advised publisher Stuff to reassess proposed cuts in local newsrooms in reaction to increasing expenses.

In September, Stuff Group revealed strategies to “streamline” newsgathering to boost the sustainability of its local news.

  • Listen live to Mediawatch on RNZ Nights at 8:30 pm tonight

It followed the production of local reporting centers in 2022 in which Stuff reporters on-duty cover news in other areas where none are offered in regional newsrooms. Each local newsroom would still have an editor, press reporters and visual reporters, Stuff stated at the time.

Professional reporting and production functions would be cut in Manawatū, Wairarapa, Nelson, Timaru and Southland under the existing proposition.

The primary reporters’ union E tū stated numerous individuals have actually now signed a letter by Stuff reporters alerting that the strategy might turn recognized regional mastheads into “zombie papers.”

E tū stated as much as 18 newsroom functions were at stake under the present proposition and the cuts “should be understood as an existential threat to the country’s media ecosystem . . . leaving only two reporters in many districts, and just one photographer to cover whole regions.”

“All but one regional print producer – the last line of defence for spotting errors before print – are proposed to be cut. This team is already understaffed and overworked,” E tū stated.

“Stuff plans to keep every page and every print day while getting rid of the people who fill them,” E tū assistant nationwide secretary Mat Danaher stated.

It likewise comes as E tū members at TVNZ strategy to stroll off the task from 1pm to 2pm on Thursday 29 October.

Regional leaders’ issue

“I recognise the financial pressures on Stuff but hope a way can be found to maintain the critical mass needed,” Nelson mayor Nick Smith stated.

Nelson mayor Nick Smith

RNZ/ Samantha Gee

Things’s Nelson Mail has actually been released 4 days a week considering that 2017, and lost reporting personnel in the 2022 restructure.

Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith likewise advised Stuff to keep reporters at the Manawatū Standard.

“Local knowledge … and the ability to be present when something happens cannot easily be replaced by remote coverage, contributed material or imagery sourced elsewhere,” he stated.

“Local photos and videos also help people feel connected to what is happening in their own community. Reducing the (visual) team to one person will inevitably mean less local coverage,” Manawatū Business Chamber’s Chief Executive Amanda Linsley stated.

“I’ve done this job on my own before for six months and it nearly broke me. Things got missed because I couldn’t be in two places at once,” Manawatū Standard visual reporter Warwick Smith stated in E tū’s declaration.

In September, National’s Rangitata MP James Meagher stated he was “disappointed … Stuff is proposing to reduce the number of reporters in regional New Zealand, particularly at the Timaru Herald.”

“I’m a strong believer that local content is the best content, and that regional reporters cover many important regional issues that the larger publishers would otherwise overlook,” he stated on Facebook.

“While I’m not a fan of taxpayers subsidising media, I do believe in paying for good content and making the choice to support local – so that’s what I do, and I’d encourage you all to do the same.”

New websites established

A Stuff representative informed Mediawatch: “We are still working through the process with our people and won’t be commenting further.”

Things Group has stated the business used about 300 reporters and releases 13 day-to-day and weekly papers.

“We must always evaluate the sustainability of our local newsrooms as our news model evolves, including as more efficient production technology becomes available,” a Stuff spokesperson informed the New Zealand Herald previously this month.

Things looked for feedback with personnel up until October 13 and stated “we will carefully consider and respond to that before any final decisions are made.”

It likewise contacted main and city government to “evaluate their role in the importance of local journalism as the costs … of newspapers rise.”

Things just recently introduced 18 free-to-view regional Neighbourly News sites bring stories from its reporters, readers and other regional sources of info.

E tū likewise declared Stuff was “giving away news for free” through Neighbourly News while likewise attempting to bring in customers to paywalled sites for The Post, The Press and Waikato Times.

The union’s assistant nationwide secretary Mat Danaher states reporters have actually provided to deal with Stuff on a brand-new prepare for local news.

“Stuff should take them up on it and drop these cuts. Every one of these voices is asking for the same thing: keep local reporters in local towns.”

E tū’s open letter previously this month straight dealt with the Stuff Group president Sinead Boucher, who purchased the business from its Australian owner Nine for $1 in 2020.

“We haven’t forgotten the vision, motivation, and hope that came when you took the company over. We want to fight together to save our local stories,” E tū stated.

Other task cuts and TVNZ walkout

In July Stuff Digital – a joint endeavor with Trade Me – revealed an optimum of 8 functions might go as it searches for a “simplified structure” in its editorial group.

Things press reporters informed Mediawatch that would worry the day-to-day reporting groups and personnel of the Stuff site.

Recently the New Zealand Herald reported brand-new cost-savings cuts at news publisher NZME.

Newsroom functions in Auckland and Gisborne and other tasks in the business’s item, podcast and advancement groups are comprehended to be impacted, the Herald reported.

E tū members at TVNZ will stroll off the task from 1pm to 2pm on Thursday 29 October.

TVNZ has actually used employees a 2.5 percent pay increase, however E tū states pay has actually fallen in genuine terms in the last few years. employees at the business can’t satisfy standard living expenses.

Security ramped up for first session of BARMM’s elected parliament

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Security ramped up for first session of BARMM’s elected parliament
Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu( 2nd from left), leader of the 6th Infantry Division, examines the firepower of the Philippine Marines, on task to protect Cotabato City for the inaugural session of the chosen Bangsamoro Parliament on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. Images by 6ID

COTABATO CITY– Military and police are on complete alert ahead of the inaugural session of the recently chosen Bangsamoro Parliament on Friday, Oct. 30, with soldiers and armored tanks released in tactical parts of the city regardless of no particular security risks kept an eye on by the intelligence neighborhood.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, leader of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), and Col. Jibin Bongcayao, director of the Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO), carried out security examinations around the city and surrounding locations to reinforce the soldiers’ functional preparedness for the essential event anticipated to draw the participation of leading authorities from the federal government, diplomatic neighborhood, and the advancement sector.

“The assessment is concentrated on reinforcing security procedures, boosting functional readiness, and guaranteeing that security forces stay all set to react efficiently to prospective risks and emerging security issues, especially in Cotabato City, in the past, throughout, and after the (inaugural session),” Catu informed press reporters after checking out cops, Army, and Marine systems in the city.

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READ: BARMM’s bulk union gains assistance of guvs, Misuari

Cotabato City functions as the catbird seat of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), made up of the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

Catu stated authorities had actually not kept track of any particular hazards connected to the opening of the routine Parliament’s inaugural session, keeping in mind that extra security workers became part of preparations to guarantee peace and order throughout the event.

“We are dealing with all sectors in the BARMM federal government, city government systems, and other stakeholders to avoid peace spoilers from interrupting the procedure,” Catu stated.

“Our goal is to guarantee a tranquil, safe, and organized choice while supporting the guideline of law, appreciating the rights of all worried, and securing the well-being of individuals of BARMM,” he included.

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Leading competitors

The BARMM’s 80 chosen parliament members will assemble at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center inside the Bangsamoro Government Center on Friday to choose the chief minister, sergeant-at-arms, and other parliamentary authorities.

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The leading competitors for the chief minister are interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) and Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

READ: Iqbal invites Palace vow not to meddle in BARMM chief choice

Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu, previous Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director basic and previous guv of Sultan Kudarat province, has actually likewise appeared as a possible prospect for primary minister.

Catu prompted citizens to stay watchful and work together with authorities by without delay reporting suspicious activities that might threaten the activity and their neighborhoods.

He rejected social networks reports declaring that a lockdown had actually been enforced in Cotabato City as part of security preparations to avoid a repeat of the violence that ruined the Sept. 14 local parliamentary elections.

7 individuals were eliminated, and a minimum of 15 others were hurt in election-related violence in the city.

trending topics Security ramped up for first session of elected BARMM parliament

“There is no lockdown. Individuals can reoccur in the city, however if individuals do not work together with authorities, a lockdown looms,” Catu stated.

Maj. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, leader of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), likewise highlighted the value of sustaining peace and supporting the BARMM federal government’s peace and advancement programs while promoting democratic concepts.

“We motivate everybody to appreciate the democratic procedure and assistance whoever is chosen as BARMM chief minister. Let us interact, despite political distinctions, to sustain peace, unity, and advancement in the Bangsamoro area,” Cagara stated.

Soldiers, backed by armored workers providers and Philippine Marine water properties, have actually been protecting entry indicate Cotabato City, including its waterways, to avoid possible interruptions throughout the historical parliamentary procedures.

Work from home

As part of the preparations for the inaugural session, Macacua bought civil servant appointed to the Bangsamoro Government Center, where the inaugural session will be held, to work from home from Wednesday till Friday.

READ: Gov’t keeps hands off BARMM parliament management vote

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He directed workplaces to keep a skeletal labor force, especially amongst frontline workers, to guarantee that important services stay offered and emergency situations are resolved when needed./ coa

Rayer renews call for govt books on Nik Aziz, DAP leaders

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Rayer renews call for govt books on Nik Aziz, DAP leaders

PARLIAMENT |RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) repeated his require Putrajaya to release reading product on the late PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, to name a few, to counter apparently dissentious beliefs spread out by particular quarters.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, the DAP MP stated the publication of such books, publications, or posts on previous leaders can be utilized to inform youths on nationwide unity.

Rayer (aboveargued that

PARLIAMENT |RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) restated his require Putrajaya to release reading product on the late PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, to name a few, to counter apparently dissentious beliefs spread out by specific quarters.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, the DAP MP stated the publication of such books, publications, or short articles on previous leaders can be utilized to inform youths on nationwide unity.

Rayer (aboveargued that such efforts are essential to negate those who “stir racial beliefs,” with the backbencher calling questionable Muslim preachers Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and Zamri Vinoth, in addition to social networks character S Chandrasegaran, much better called Cikgu Chandra.

(The people) might be informed by checking out the released books, particularly concerning Tok Guru Nik Aziz, who was a statesman and my idol,” Rayer stated in an interjection to National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang’s winding-up speech on Budget 2027.

Nik Aziz, Rayer likewise proposed that the federal government produce product on previous DAP chairperson Karpal Singh and celebration veteran Lim Kit Siang.

FOUND OUT MORE: ‘Enough suffices!’ DAP MP requires action versus dissentious preacher

Rayer had in 2023 made a comparable require such publicationsarguing at the time that the books would resolve rumours on DAP leaders being communists, while highlighting Nik Aziz’s contributions.

While DAP has actually released numerous books on the leaders, the federal government has actually not approved any such book.

In his reaction to Rayer today, Aaron stated books on the figures particularly referenced by Rayer will be “executed in the future” as a matter currently in the ministry’s strategies.

While the minister did not offer additional information on the strategies, he stressed that his ministry continuously arranges different programs to celebrate the contributions of statesmen throughout Malaysia.

Dangote Cement’s 9M pre-tax profit jumps 41.5% to N1.47 trillion as finance costs fall 58%

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Dangote Cement’s 9M pre-tax profit jumps 41.5% to N1.47 trillion as finance costs fall 58%

Dangote Cement Plc reported a pre-tax revenue of N1.47 trillion for the 9 months ended September 30, 2026, up 41.5% from N1.04 trillion a year previously. Revenue after tax increased 31.2% to N974.79 billion, with profits per share at N58.37, up from N43.82.

This is according to the business’s unaudited third-quarter monetary declarations submitted with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Tuesday, October 27.

The pre-tax earnings grew faster than income, which increased 19.6% to N3.77 trillion, and faster than operating earnings, which increased 27.8% to N1.57 trillion, due to the fact that financing expenses fell dramatically.

Secret highlights (9M 2026 vs 9M 2025):

  • Profits: N3.77 trillion (up 19.6% from N3.15 trillion)
  • Gross revenue: N2.39 trillion (up 27.7% from N1.87 trillion)
  • EBITDA: N1.77 trillion (up 23.7% from N1.43 trillion)
  • Operating revenue: N1.57 trillion (up 27.8% from N1.23 trillion)
  • Earnings before tax: N1.47 trillion (up 41.5% from N1.04 trillion)
  • Revenue after tax: N974.79 billion (up 31.2% from N743.26 billion)
  • Revenues per share: N58.37 (up 33.2% from N43.82)
  • Overall monetary liabilities: N539.61 billion (Down 31.40% from N786.61 billion).
  • This makes up N274.54 billion in non-current monetary liabilities and N265.07 billion in present monetary liabilities.
  • Money and money equivalents: N592.67 billion (Up 49.07% from N397.57 billion).
  • Overall possessions: N6.15 trillion (Up 1.82% from N6.04 trillion).
  • Investors’ funds: N2.68 trillion (Up 2.31% from N2.62 trillion).

Driving the numbers:

Pre-tax margin expanded to about 39.0% from 33.0% as gross margin enhanced to about 63.2% from 59.2%.

  • Production expenses dropped to just 7.9% at N1.39 trillion.
  • Fuel and power, the biggest expense, increased 2.0% to N580.49 billion, and devaluation and plant upkeep fell.
  • Financing expenses likewise fell 57.8% to N120.80 billion from N286.04 billion.
  • Interest cost dropped from N281.76 billion to N102.92 billion, and N30.96 billion was capitalised, leaving N71.96 billion acknowledged.

This more than balanced out net forex losses, which increased to N40.77 billion from N1.13 billion.

Third-quarter pre-tax earnings:

Comparing the nine-month outcomes with the first-half figures recommends that third-quarter pre-tax earnings had to do with N491.11 billion.

  • This is 57.9% greater than the approximated N310.97 billion tape-recorded in the 3rd quarter of 2025.
  • It is 12.3% lower than the N560.22 billion reported in the 2nd quarter of 2026.
  • The figures likewise recommend that third-quarter financing expenses was up to about N8.7 billion, from N112.11 billion in the very first half.

The lower expenses might partially show a smaller sized net forex loss. The loss for the 9 months was N40.77 billion, compared to N45.03 billion in the very first half

Tax and sections:

Earnings tax increased 67.2% to N497.71 billion, raising the reliable tax rate to about 33.8% from 28.6%, which is why after-tax revenue grew 31.2% versus 41.5% for pre-tax earnings. The business keeps in mind the interim rate is a price quote of the yearly weighted rate.

  • Nigeria produced profits of N2.67 trillion (up 22.5%) and EBITDA of N1.60 trillion, about 90% of group EBITDA before main expenses, however its revenue for the duration increased just 3.4% to N849.40 billion.
  • Pan-Africa income increased 12.6% to N1.19 trillion and running earnings increased 64.4% to N146.46 billion, however the sector reported a loss of N7.86 billion, versus a revenue of N182.73 billion a year previously.

Haulage expenses increased 23.5% to N489.29 billion and comprise nearly four-fifths of selling and circulation expenses of N618.87 billion, which increased 23.6%.

Balance sheet:

The group moved from net financial obligation of about N310 billion at the start of the duration to net money of about N115 billion.

  • Loans and loanings was up to N477.77 billion from N707.53 billion, and business paper of N209.61 billion was paid back. Overall monetary liabilities were N539.61 billion, down 31.4%.
  • Money increased 49.1% to N592.67 billion.
  • Running capital increased 41.5% to N1.83 trillion, and the business paid dividends of N753.85 billion and paid back loans of N992.65 billion.
  • Present liabilities of N2.75 trillion go beyond existing possessions of N1.97 trillion, a present ratio of 0.72 times, with trade and other payables up 18.0% to N1.50 trillion.
  • Capital dedications were N2.31 trillion, more than double the N1.12 trillion at December 2025.

The group likewise scheduled a N160.44 billion loss on equating foreign operations, versus a gain of N7.91 billion, so overall thorough earnings increased just to N814.36 billion from N751.17 billion.

Market response:

Dangote Cement closed at N1,341.90 on October 27, 2026, up 9.8% on the day on about 4.29 million shares traded.

The stock is up about 120.34% year to date from N609.00, and about 25.8% for the month, and has actually passed its previous 52-week high of N1,189, with a variety of N534.60 to N1,341.90.

With the stock up more than 120% this year, the marketplace currently rates in strong revenues.

The next tests are whether margins hold as products and haulage expenses increase, and how the N2.31 trillion of dedications is moneyed from the money now on hand.

Why Trump Expects the Nobel Peace Prize

Kisded Szabi
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Why Trump Expects the Nobel Peace Prize

Armed Conflicts, Crime & & Justice, Economy & & Trade, Global, Headlines, Human Rights, Migration & & Refugees, North America, Peace, TerraViva United Nations

Viewpoint

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct 27 2026 (IPS) – Much of the world has actually been bemused by United States President Donald Trump’s expectation of the Nobel Peace Prize. While aggressive towards the majority of the world, pal and enemy alike, he has actually dealt with hostile nuclear powers more respectfully.

Jomo Kwame Sundaram

War is peace!

One requires more than Orwell to comprehend why Trump seriously anticipated the Nobel for 2025 following his battle spree, not to mention this year after resuming his war on Iran for Israel.

Outshining every previous United States president, Trump authorised over 500 battles of 10 nations in the very first year of his 2nd term.

Assaulting Nigeria, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela, he likewise threatened Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, and Greenland with attacks. Trump is not alone.

Every United States president considering that World War II has actually dedicated war criminal activities, breaching the UN Charter and the Geneva Convention. Over 4.5 million passed away in these wars, which developed 38 million refugees in 2001-19 alone!

Trump thinks he should have the Prize. After he won the November 2024 governmental election, he promised, “We had no wars for several years … I’m not going to begin a war. I’m going to stop wars …

“We will determine our success not just by the fights we win, however likewise by the wars that we end, and maybe most significantly, the wars we never ever enter. My proudest tradition will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.”

Trump has actually likewise assured to develop the world’s biggest armed force to accomplish ‘peace through strength’, declaring he will not really require to utilize it.

Barack Obama has actually acknowledged he does not understand why he won the reward in the very first year of his presidency. He then unlawfully bombed 7 countries– Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Syria, and Iraq– without UN Security Council approval!

George W. Bush assaulted 5 nations while Trump 2.0 not just’re-bombed’ Obama’s 7, however likewise exceeded him by including Nigeria, Iran, and Venezuela!

After Biden provided 10s of billions of dollars’ worth of weapons to Israel to ‘carpet bomb’ Gaza, Trump exceeded his predecessor’s kindness in spite of his contempt for him.

New United States military method

Trump boastfully rebranded the United States Defense Department as the Department of War at the start of his 2nd term, to indicate a more offending and aggressive position.

The most recent United States National Defense Strategy (NDS) sees NATO allies “highly placed to take main duty for Europe’s standard defense”.

The NDS imagines United States control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, echoing Trump’s ‘Donroe teaching’ for the Western Hemisphere, while declaring to prevent future interventions abroad!

In 2024, around the world military costs amounted to $2.7 trillion, with the United States accounting for over a 3rd! United States costs then went beyond the aggregate expense of the next 9 biggest spenders, all Washington allies other than for China and Russia.

Fortune publication jobs that the brand-new United States military costs target of $1.5 trillion will surpass the combined expense of the next 35 highest-spending nations!

The brand-new NDS reasserts Trump’s claims that United States allies made the most of earlier Washington administrations to subsidise their own defence.

When Trump required, throughout his very first term, that they invest a minimum of 2% of GDP on the military, their reactions were mainly lukewarm. In 2025, NATO allies concurred with Trump to increase military costs to 5% of GDP!

The NDS asserts its War Department will be essential to NATO “even as we adjust United States force posture and activities in the European theater” to concentrate on United States top priorities.

While repeating “Russia will stay a consistent however workable danger to NATO’s eastern members for the foreseeable future”, it imagines cutting United States soldiers on Ukraine’s borders.

Unsurprisingly, the United States’s NATO allies grumble that Trump has actually developed a ‘security vacuum’ weakening Europe’s conflict of Russia.

China U-turn or American tai-chi?

The Biden NDS saw China as the United States’s primary foe. On the other hand, Trump’s brand-new NDS sees China as a recognized power in the Indo-Pacific area that just requires to be prevented from controling the United States and its allies.

The objective “is not to control China; nor is it to strangle or embarrass them … This does not need routine modification … Trump looks for a steady peace, reasonable trade, and considerate relations with China”!

Unlike Biden’s NDS dedication to “support Taiwan’s uneven self-defense”, the brand-new NDS provides no guarantees on Taiwan, although Beijing stays dedicated to reunification, by force if needed.

Extremely, it looks for to “open a broader series of military-to-military interactions” with equivalents in China. Unsurprisingly, the United States has actually because likewise shunned brand-new trade wars with China.

Why does Trump anticipate the Nobel Peace Prize? He most likely sees himself as less belligerent than his predecessors to ‘near peer’ powers such as China and Russia.

Assaulting and battle ‘unimportant’ little non-nuclear powers most likely does not matter to him. His mindset towards ‘shithole’ nations is comparable.

Trump declared no one passed away when the United States robbed Venezuela on 3 January, obviously referring just to United States casualties, although over a hundred Latin Americans were eliminated!

IPS UN Bureau

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