News Desk

Olivia Attwood sends warning to GK Barry as she hits out at ‘fake friends’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A woman with long blonde hair and bangs, wearing a striped shirt, looks directly at the viewer with one hand resting near her chin, Image 2 shows GK Barry standing against a brick wall

OLIVIA Attwood appears to have sent a stark warning to fellow Loose Women panelist GK Barry after she hit out at “fake friends.”

The Love Island alum, 34, didn’t hold back as she went on a comment ‘liking’ spree on Instagram.

Olivia Attwood appears to have sent a stark warning to fellow Loose Women panelist GK Barry over ‘fake friends’Credit: Instagram
It came after podcast anchor GK Barry was styled by Ryan Kay for her appearance on the ITV daytime seriesCredit: Instagram
It came after Olivia opened up on her fallout with former buddy Ryan Kay last monthCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

It came just hours after Olivia took a swipe at an “attention seeking” pal and admitted it had been “awful.”

While the TV star didn’t specify who she was talking about in a new clip uploaded to TikTok, but referred to them as a “tick.

Yet fans suspected she was talking about former buddy Ryan Kay, after she told of their fallout earlier this year.

And she dropped another huge hint when she began to like fan comments warning podcast host and Loose Women panelist Grace about him, after he styled her for the ITV daytime series.

FINAL STRAW

Olivia Attwood takes BIG swipe at ‘attention-seeking’ friend amid best pal feud


att odds

Olivia Attwood’s marriage ‘hits crossroads’ as pals fear for their marriage

Olivia liked comments about him moving on to Grace and how he needs to be warned, as well as how Grace should be worried.

One said: “Ryan … Grace should be worried.”

Another wrote: “He’s moved onto Grace now she needs to be warned.”

The Bad Boyfriends anchor also liked a message which read: “Never liked the guy, he did the same with Ester from Cheshire housewives. Used her for personal gain then moved on to the next.”

She then commented: “So small. Literally they lived in my house, I paid for holidays, dinners, nights out, more gifts than I can even count.”

We previously told how reality TV star Olivia had fallen out with her former assistant and stylist Ryan – who both share matching tattoos and were once inseparable.

LIV’S RANT

Over the weekend, Liv’s fans told how she looked “proper hurt” in her video rant.

She captioned her clip: “I feel like so many people will have gone through this experience.” 

Olivia then said: “We all know this person who can’t keep a job, they can’t keep a friend, they have no long-term friends that they can keep for more than a year. 

“But it’s never their fault. They’re always the victim. This is a professional victim. You watch the cycle play out and you can now see the people who were before you and see your part in the cycle. 

“And then you can see who they’ve now moved onto next.” 

The star went on: “I always think that with these kinds of people, they don’t move on to new friends, but instead they move on to new hosts.

“They’re like a tick – a tick has to be attached to you and drink your blood – and it has to have a host body. So, once it leaves your body it’s going to go and host on another body.” 

PAL FALLOUT

Meanwhile, last month, she broke her silence on her unexpected fallout with Ryan.

Former Love Island star Olivia revealed the reason on social media during a Q&A with fans.

One asked: “What happened with your mate?”

She responded: “I am just very hurt if I’m honest. Prior to what you might have read.

“I had to respect myself and enjoy a line. It was something that played out over a few months.

“And I guess I hadn’t seen things that I should of… I think? “

She continued: “I give everything (in every sense of the word) to friendships and don’t let very many people in so it suckkkkks.

BABY KILLER

My ex-pal burned her 6 kids alive in house fire – mistake let her walk FREE


HORROR ORDEAL

I haven’t peed for 18 months & NEVER will after UTI left me feeling suicidal

“It’s not something I can really explain on a story but I will at some point?”

She then hit out at Ryan in a cryptic message and confirmed their friendship’s turned toxic.

In a TikTok video posted over the weekend, she classed a former pal as a ‘tick’Credit: tiktok
Olivia wrote about her painful friendship break-up on InstagramCredit: Instagram / @olivia_attwood
Now GK’s fans have said she should be ‘warned’ about her new professional connectionsCredit: YouTube

Source link

Global Markets Rally on China Growth Surprise and AI Earnings Hopes

Global stock markets kicked off the week on a strong note after data showed China’s economy performing better than expected despite ongoing trade tensions with the United States. Investor optimism was also buoyed by expectations of Japanese stimulus and a strong outlook for artificial intelligence (AI) companies during the U.S. earnings season.

Why It Matters

China’s stronger-than-forecast GDP growth (1.1% in Q3) and industrial output gains (6.5%) helped calm fears about a global slowdown triggered by U.S.-China trade frictions.
Meanwhile, optimism surrounding AI-driven tech earnings particularly Nvidia continued to lift global equities, reinforcing investor belief in the sector’s long-term profitability.
At the same time, expectations of further U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts kept global borrowing costs lower and strengthened risk appetite.

Asia: Japan’s Nikkei surged 2.8% to a record high amid hopes of stimulus under likely new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Europe: The Stoxx 600 rose 0.7% in early trade.

U.S.: Futures pointed to gains of 0.4–0.5% for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq.

Bonds & FX: Treasury yields dipped to 4.02%, while the euro climbed to $1.1662 on a softer dollar.

Commodities: Gold stayed elevated around $4,266/oz, reflecting persistent geopolitical caution, while Brent crude slipped 0.4% to $61.02 on OPEC+ supply signals.

Jason da Silva (Arbuthnot Latham): “There’s still enough scope for healthy returns from big tech; I’m not selling the AI theme yet.”

Kevin Thozet (Carmignac): Warned of “froth” in some AI stocks but said it’s too soon to exit the trade.

Lorenzo Portelli (Amundi): Predicted gold could rise to $5,000 as central banks diversify reserves and the dollar weakens.

What’s Next

Looking ahead, investor attention will pivot to major U.S. corporate earnings that could shape the market’s next moves. Reports from Tesla, Netflix, Procter & Gamble, and Coca-Cola will offer a clearer picture of consumer demand and how well companies are weathering tariffs and inflation pressures. On the policy front, traders expect the Federal Reserve to deliver two more rate cuts by December, a move that could further support equities, weaken the dollar, and sustain global liquidity. However, the upcoming U.S.–China tariff truce deadline on November 10 looms large, and any breakdown in talks could quickly reverse market optimism. Investors will also watch for fresh data on inflation and labor markets to gauge how long central banks can maintain their dovish stance.

With information from Reuters.

Source link

Haunted Hollywood landmarks and the ghost stories behind them

The site of one of L.A.’s most notorious murder-suicides, Greystone has been supposedly haunted ever since. In February 1929, owner Ned Doheny, son of oil tycoon Edward Doheny, was shot and killed by his personal secretary and childhood friend Hugh Plunkett who, minutes later, shot himself. The motive for the crime was never discovered, though rumors posited a sexual relationship, a dispute over Plunkett’s salary and, most plausibly, the pair’s involvement in the Teapot Dome scandal. Doheny’s widow lived in the mansion until 1955, after which a series of sales almost led to its demolition, prevented by an 11th-hour purchase by the city of Beverly Hills, which converted the house into an event venue and the grounds into a park. Since then, there have been many reports by workers of mysterious sounds, the smell of rotting flesh and shadowy, spectral figures. That has not stopped it from becoming a favored filming spot for film and television, from “The Amazing Race” to “There Will Be Blood,” and a popular wedding venue.

Show more Show less

Source link

Fewer than half of S. Koreans believe unification with North is necessary: survey

SEOUL, Oct. 20 (UPI) — Fewer South Koreans than ever say their country should reunify with North Korea, according to a new survey released Monday, reflecting a growing acceptance of permanent division and deepening public indifference toward the North.

Just 49% of South Koreans said unification is necessary, the survey by the government-funded Korea Institute for National Unification found. The figure represents a drop of 3.8% from last year and marks the lowest level since the Seoul-based think tank began its annual poll in 2014.

It is the first time support has fallen below a majority, representing what researchers called a “structural shift” in how South Koreans view the decades-old goal of national reunification.

“These results suggest that perceptions of the necessity of unification have entered a phase of structural change, rather than short-term fluctuation,” the report’s executive summary said. “The decline appears to reflect the compounded effects of North Korea’s hostile ‘two-states’ claim, the continued suspension of inter-Korean relations and domestic political dynamics.”

KINU noted that the decline cuts across all age groups but is most pronounced among younger generations, many of whom see North Korea as a separate state rather than part of a divided homeland.

Some 63.2% of respondents said unification was not needed if the two Koreas could maintain peaceful coexistence, the highest level recorded since the question was introduced nine years ago. At the same time, 47% agreed that “it is better to stay divided as we are now,” reflecting what KINU described as a normalization of both peaceful and “hostile” coexistence.

“The rising preference for hostile coexistence does not indicate a desire for conflict but rather a psychological inclination to maintain the status quo in the face of uncertain change,” the report said.

The survey also found indifference toward North Korea at a record high, with 68% of respondents saying they had little or no interest in the North, up sharply from about 51% in 2015. The trend has persisted regardless of political ideology or shifts in inter-Korean ties, KINU said.

South Koreans still favor limited engagement, however. Nearly 70% backed sports and cultural exchanges with the North, and 54% supported continued economic cooperation even during political tensions. Support for another inter-Korean summit remained high at 69%, including a majority of conservatives.

Support for humanitarian aid took a negative turn this year, with 39.5% against compared to 36.8% in favor — a shift that KINU linked to perceptions that North Korea’s economic conditions have improved amid strengthening ties with Russia and China.

The administration of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has made efforts to rehabilitate relations between the two Koreas since he took office in June, with conciliatory gestures such as removing propaganda loudspeakers from border areas.

Last week, Seoul resumed an excavation project for the remains of soldiers killed in the Korean War at a battle site near the inter-Korean border, in what the military called “a practical measure to transform the DMZ into a zone of peace.”

Pyongyang, however, continues to reject Seoul’s diplomatic gestures while advancing its nuclear weapons program.

The 2025 KINU survey was conducted July 10 to Aug. 13 through face-to-face interviews with 1,000 adults.

Source link

Amazon Web Services issue spurs outage of global websites and apps | Internet News

Internet users have reported difficulties accessing popular websites and apps including Signal, Coinbase and Robinhood.

Major websites including popular gaming, financial and social media platforms have been facing serious connectivity issues after Amazon’s cloud services unit AWS was hit by an outage.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) confirmed the issue in an update on its status page on Monday, after web users reported difficulties accessing websites.

“We can confirm significant error rates for requests made to the DynamoDB endpoint in the US-EAST-1 Region,” said the AWS status update.

In a subsequent update it said it had “identified a potential root cause for [the] error rates” and was “working on multiple parallel paths to accelerate recovery”.

Major platforms including AI startup Perplexity, trading app Robinhood, messaging app Signal and crypto exchange Coinbase all said their issues were due to the AWS outage.

“Perplexity is down right now. The root cause is an AWS issue. We’re working on resolving it,” Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said in a post on X.

AWS is one of the giant cloud computing service providers, competing with Google’s and Microsoft’s cloud services to offer on-demand computing power, data storage and other digital services to companies and institutions.

Issues with its servers can wreak havoc on the web, with so many companies relying on its infrastructure to function.

Downdetector, a site where web users report outages, carried a roll call of popular sites where users had experienced access difficulties amid the outage.

Names on the list included Zoom, Roblox, Fortnite, Duolingo, Canva, Wordle and more.

Amazon’s shopping website, PrimeVideo and Alexa were also facing issues, according to the site.

The Reuters news agency reported that Uber rival Lyft’s app was also down for thousands of users in the US, while many UK bank customers were also reporting outages.

Source link

Water salinity hurting farmers, livestock in Iraq | Water News

Iraqi farmer Umm Ali has watched her poultry die as salinity levels in the country’s south have reached record highs, rendering already scarce water unfit for human consumption and killing livestock.

“We used to drink, wash and cook with water from the river, but now it’s hurting us,” said Umm Ali, 40, who lives in the once watery Al-Mashab marshes of southern Iraq’s Basra province.

This season alone, she said, brackish water has killed dozens of her ducks and 15 chickens.

“I cried and grieved, I felt as if all my hard work had been wasted,” said the widowed mother of three.

Iraq, a country heavily affected by climate change, has been ravaged for years by drought and low rainfall.

Declining freshwater flows have increased salt and pollution levels, particularly in the south, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers converge before spilling into the Gulf.

“We haven’t seen such high levels of salinity in 89 years,” Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources spokesman, Khaled Shamal, said.

Last month, salinity levels recorded in the central Basra province soared to almost 29,000 parts per million compared with 2,600ppm last year, according to a Water Ministry report.

Freshwater should contain less than 1,000ppm of dissolved salts, while ocean water salinity levels are about 35,000ppm, according to the United States Geological Survey.

A man holds a bottle of cloudy water in the farm of Iraqi farmer Zuleikha Hashim Taleb
A man holds a bottle of water on the farm of Zuleikha Hashim Taleb (L) in the village of al-Mashab, where crops are affected by high water salinity. [Hussein Faleh/AFP]

The Tigris and the Euphrates converge at Basra’s Shatt al-Arab waterway “laden with pollutants accumulated along their course”, said Hasan al-Khateeb, an expert from Iraq’s University of Kufa.

In recent weeks, the Euphrates has seen its lowest water levels in decades, and Iraq’s artificial lake reserves are at their lowest in recent history.

Khateeb warned that the Shatt al-Arab’s water levels had plummeted and it was failing to hold back the seawater from the Gulf.

Farmer Zulaykha Hashem, 60, said the water in the area had become very brackish this year, adding that she must wait for the situation to improve to irrigate her crop of pomegranate trees, figs and berries.

According to the United Nations, almost a quarter of women in Basra and nearby provinces work in agriculture.

“We cannot even leave. Where would we go?” Hashem said, in a country where farmers facing drought and rising salinity often find themselves trapped in a cycle of water crisis.

The UN’s International Organization for Migration, which documents climate-induced displacement in Iraq, has warned that increased water salinity is destroying palm groves, citrus trees and other crops.

As of October last year, some 170,000 people had been displaced in central and southern Iraq due to climate-related factors, according to the agency.

Water scarcity pushed Maryam Salman, who is in her 30s, to leave nearby Missan province for Basra several years ago, hoping her buffalo could enjoy the Shatt al-Arab.

A man holds a handful of spoiled dates in the farm of Iraqi farmer Zuleikha
A man holds a handful of spoiled dates in the village of al-Mashab. [Hussein Faleh/AFP]

Rising salinity is not the only problem now, said Salman, a mother of three children.

“Water is not available … neither summer nor winter,” she said.

The Tigris and the Euphrates originate in Turkiye, and Iraqi authorities have repeatedly blamed dams across the border for significantly reducing their flows.

Iraq, a country with inefficient water management systems after decades of war and neglect, receives less than 35 percent of its allocated share of water from the two rivers, according to authorities.

Khateeb from the University of Kufa said, in addition to claiming its share of the rivers, Iraq must pursue desalination projects in the Shatt al-Arab.

In July, the government announced a desalination project in Basra with a capacity of 1 million cubic metres per day.

Local residents said the brackish water is also impacting fish stocks.

Hamdiyah Mehdi said her husband, who is a fisherman, returns home empty-handed more frequently.

She blamed the Shatt al-Arab’s “murky and salty water” for his short temper after long days without a catch, and for her children’s persistent rash.

“It has been tough,” said Mehdi, 52, noting the emotional toll on the family as well as on their health and livelihood.

“We take our frustrations out on each other.”

Source link

Nobody Wants This fans horrified by Kristen Bell’s ‘weird’ wedding anniversary post to Dax Shephard

KRISTEN Bell fans have been left horrified after she shared a “weird” wedding anniversary post to husband Dax Shephard.

The Nobody Wants This actress, 45, was celebrating being wed to Dax, 50, for 12 years.

Kristen Bell shocked fans with her Instagram post to celebrate her wedding anniversary with husband Dax ShephardCredit: Getty
It came after she shared this sweet picture of them together – but the caption caused a stirCredit: Instagram
Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell have been married since 2013Credit: Getty

In the Instagram post Kristen can be seen with her legs wrapped around the Parenthood star, as he pulls her close to him.

However, it wasn’t the picture that caused a stir with fans – it was the caption.

Writing next to the post Kristen wrote: “Happy 12th wedding anniversary to the man who once said to me: ‘I would never kill you. A lot of men have killed their wives at a certain point. Even though I’m heavily incentivized to kill you, I never would.’❤️”

But some fans thought this was an “odd” thing to write to commerate such a milestone in their relationship.

FACE FIX

Kristen Bell’s makeup artist reveals exact concealer used on her under-eyes


WEDDING BELLS

Everything to know about Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell’s marriage

Taking to the comments, a follower wrote: “I don’t get it! That was weird.”

Another echoed this with: “That’s….a very weird thing to say.

This fan added: “What an odd thing to say.”

A fourth said: “May this type of relationship never find me.”

However other fans were loving the post, with one saying: “That’s the most romantic thing I’ve heard! Lol.”

Another added: “I get this, this them. It’s sweet.”

This one commented: “Love you guys!”

NSFW PHOTO

This isn’t the first time that the couple have caused a stir.

In July, Dax shared a NSFW picture of his wife doing a handstand in the nude.

In the snap, Kristen can be seen completely naked – except for a pair of knee-length compression socks – while doing a handstand.

In the caption, he penned, “People might not know everything that happens behind the scenes in order to create an Emmy nominated performance like Kristen’s.

“This may or may not have been a part of her training, but it felt right.

“CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!”

Dax recently shared a nude snap of his wife Kristen on InstagramCredit: daxshepard/Instagram

Fans in the comments were divided by the post, with some finding it hilarious, others in awe of Kristen’s toned body, and some other saying how Kristen would be mad.

“Hahaha she’s gonna kick your a**,” joked one person.

“She’s gonna kill you,” echoed another.

“Why the f**k would you post this?” said this fan.

However, this fan said: “I wouldn’t be mad at Dax for posting if I also looked this good! Go girl.”

Another echoed: “I’d love the confidence to cartwheel naked lmao.

BECOMING A COUPLE

Kristen and her husband Dax began dating back in 2007, with them announcing their engagement in 2010.

The couple then delayed their marriage until the state of California passed legislation on legalising same-sex marriage, and when this happened in 2013, Kristen then asked Dax to marry her on social media.

BABY KILLER

My ex-pal burned her 6 kids alive in house fire – mistake let her walk FREE


HORROR ORDEAL

I haven’t peed for 18 months & NEVER will after UTI left me feeling suicidal

The famous pair wed at the Beverly Hills County Clerk’s Office in the fall of 2013.

Kristen and Dax share two daughters: Lincoln (born March 2013) and Delta (born December 2014). 

The happy couple share two daughtersCredit: Instagram/kristenanniebell

Source link

Bolivia poised to elect Rodrigo Paz president

Centrist Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira delivers a speech in La Paz, Bolivia, on Sunday. Paz expressed his gratitude for the support he received in winning Bolivia’s unprecedented presidential runoff election and promised to “reopen” the country to the world and work with all sectors that want to join in ‘moving forward’ from the crisis his nation is facing. Photo by Luis Gandarillas/EPA

Oct. 20 (UPI) — Bolivia is poised to elect Rodrigo Paz, a right-leaning centrist senator, as president on Sunday, besting former conservative president Jorge Quiroga in an election runoff.

According to preliminary results from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Paz, 58, of the Christian Democratic Party, won with 54.6% of the more than 6.5 million people in the country who cast ballots on Sunday.

Paz is the son of former President Jaime Paz Zamora, who served from 1989 to 1993.

Paz was elected after coming out on top of the mid-August presidential election — a surprise rise to the top of a heap of candidates as National Unit Front party’s Samuel Doria Medina was expected to be the winner at the time.

Sunday’s runoff was the result of neither Paz nor Quiroga, 65, winning the presidency outright in that August contest.

With both Paz and Quiroga being conservatives, their victories in the runoff ensured a right-leaning president would lead the country for the first time since 2006, when Bolivia elected union organizer Evo Morales as its first Indigenous president, who served until his resignation amid protests over voting irregularities in 2019.

“Here we were, here we are and here we will continue to be,” Quiroga said in a statement on Facebook as the election results became clear. “THANK YOU! Together we will keep working for a Free Bolivia.”

Paz won on a campaign to establish a market-based economy with the motto of “Capitalism for All.”

Quiroga had similarly championed a market-based economic system during his campaign, which emphasized private property rights for citizens.

The election comes as the South American country faces an economic crisis, with voters’ shunning of the leftist Movement Towards Socialism seen as a repudiation of the party.

“I congratulate the President-elect of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz, for his victory in the elections and the entire Bolivian people for their democratic participation at the ballot boxes,” Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font said in a statement.

“From Chile, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening cooperation and joint work between brother countries for the benefit of our peoples.”

U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., said Bolivia, with the election of Paz, “has turned the page & defeated socialism.”

“From the U.S. Congress, I wish your administration great success as you restore freedom, prosperity & democratic values to Bolivia,” he said on X.

Source link

Coalition deal set to make Takaichi Japan’s first female PM | Politics News

Right-wing Japan Innovation Party says it will support the governing LDP, allowing Sanae Takaichi to be voted in as leader.

Hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi appears set to become Japan’s first female premier as the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) prepares to sign a coalition deal.

Hirofumi Yoshimura, coleader of the Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, said on Monday that his right-wing party was prepared to back a Takaichi premiership, providing the LDP with the support it needs to remain in power.

Recommended Stories

list of 4 itemsend of list

The LDP had appeared on the cusp of losing power when Japan’s legislature meets for an extraordinary session to vote for the next prime minister on Tuesday.

“I told Takaichi that we should move forward together,” Yoshimura told reporters in Osaka as he made the 11th-hour announcement. He added that he would meet Takaichi at 6pm local time (09:00 GMT) to sign the agreement.

The deal clears the way for Takaichi to win Tuesday’s vote, which will see her replace incumbent Shigeru Ishiba, who has resigned.

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
If she wins the parliamentary vote, Takaichi will replace the resigning incumbent Shigeru Ishiba as premier [File: Jiji Press/AFP]

Political turmoil

Takaichi, a 64-year-old China hawk from the right-wing party, became leader of the LDP earlier this month.

Her bid to become Japan’s first female premier was disrupted when the centrist Komeito party ended a 26-year alliance with the LDP.

Coming just days after Takaichi’s election as the LDP leader, the move plunged the country into a political crisis.

The Buddhist-backed Komeito said the LDP had failed to tighten funding rules in the wake of a slush fund scandal. It was also unnerved by Takaichi’s ultraconservative positions, including a history of harsh rhetoric on China, despite Takaichi having toned that down recently.

The deal between the LDP and Ishin would deliver a combined 231 seats in the lower house of parliament, two short of a majority, meaning the new coalition would still need support from other parties to push through legislation.

But should the vote for Ishiba’s replacement go to a second-round run-off, Takaichi would only need support from more MPs than the other candidate.

Muted response from women

Despite Takaichi appearing set to break the glass ceiling to become the first female premier, many Japanese women were not celebrating her rise.

“The prospect of a first female prime minister doesn’t make me happy,” sociologist Chizuko Ueno posted on X, saying her leadership “doesn’t mean Japanese politics becomes kinder to women”.

Chiyako Sato, a political commentator for the Mainichi newspaper, said Takaichi’s policies were “extremely hawkish and I doubt she would consider policies to recognize diversity”.

Source link

‘The Perfect Neighbor’: Inside Netflix’s ‘undeniable’ new documentary

Ajike “AJ” Owens was a dedicated 35-year-old mother of four when she was shot and killed by her 58-year-old neighbor, Susan Lorincz, in June 2023. The tragedy, which rocked the otherwise peaceful, tight-knit community of Ocala, Fla., followed years of Lorincz making habitual calls to the police to report neighborhood kids, including Owens’, for playing in a vacant lot next to her home. Lorincz, who is white, claimed that the children — most of whom are Black and were under 12 — were a threat, citing one of the nation’s many “stand your ground” laws, which allow individuals to use deadly force to protect themselves if they feel their life is in danger.

Now award-winning filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir, with the support of producer-husband Nikon Kwantu and such nonfiction luminaries as Sam Pollard and Soledad O’Brien, has chronicled the two years leading up to Owens’ death in “The Perfect Neighbor,” premiering Friday on Netflix after an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run. Composed almost entirely of police body camera footage, the moving and powerful verité documentary uses the case to depict the perils of such laws, which are all too easily misused or abused in a society where not every claim of self-defense is treated equally.

A jury convicted Lorincz of manslaughter in August 2024, but the repercussions of her erratic and violent behavior continue to impact the Owens family and their neighbors. Gandbhir, whose sister-in-law was a close friend of Owens, hopes “The Perfect Neighbor” will honor Owens’ memory while showing how our nation’s growing fear of “the other” and the proliferation of “stand your ground” laws are a deadly combination.

Initially, you weren’t planning on making a film about this tragic killing, but you were documenting the aftermath of the crime. Why?

We got a call the night Ajike was killed, and we immediately jumped into action to try to help the family. We stepped in to be the media liaisons. They looked to us to try to keep the story alive in the media, just because they were worried [it would be overlooked]. This is Ocala, Fla., the heart of where “stand your ground” was born. Susan wasn’t arrested for four days because they were doing a “stand your ground” investigation. We were not thinking about making a doc, really. We were just terrified that there would be no justice.

That’s happened before …

Yes, Trayvon Martin’s case being the most notorious.

But in Ajike’s case, there’s reams of footage and audio recordings that captured what happened. How were you able to obtain so much of that material from the police department?

Anthony Thomas, who works with [civil rights attorney] Benjamin Crump, had sued the police department through the Freedom of Information Act and got them to release all of the material that they had pertaining to the case. That’s how we got the footage. What came to us was the police body camera footage, detective interviews, Ring camera footage and cellphone footage. There was also all the audio calls that Susan had made to the police, and then after the night of the [killing], the calls the community had made. There was basically a plethora of stuff that we were handed, in a jumble, and Anthony was like, “Sort this out. See if you can find anything that makes sense for the news, like snippets we can share.”

I was surprised at how much material there was, and I’m just talking about what made it into the film.

It speaks to how much Susan called the police. Basically, the body cam footage [was a result of those calls]. What’s interesting is the reaction when we screened the film for the community. They agreed to be part of this so we wanted to show them before it came out. We’re very concerned with participant care and the ethics of this. They said that they didn’t think that we had everything, because Susan [allegedly] called the police sometimes, like, 10 times a day. They [said they] think the police gave us maybe what they could organize, where they don’t look terrible. But they don’t think that that’s everything.

Three people hold up a picture of a deceased woman at a memorial service.

Ajike “AJ” Owens, pictured on the poster, was shot and killed by her neighbor in 2023. The crime is at the center of Geeta Gandbhir’s new documentary “The Perfect Neighbor.”

Ajike’s mother, Pamela Dias, has been a major force in keeping her daughter’s memory alive — and seeking justice. How did she feel about you making this film?

I went to Pamela and said I could make a movie and maybe we could make a change. It’s quite an endeavor to try to change gun laws or the “stand your ground” law, but maybe we can reach people. She said yes. This is a woman who by her own admission was blinded by grief [when Ajike was killed], who said she couldn’t see two feet in front of her. But she knew even then that her daughter’s story had to be told. She said her daughter died standing up for her kids, and she felt it was her turn to stand up.

I told her the material was graphic. But Pam was inspired by Emmett Till and how his mother had an open-casket funeral and told the photographers to take pictures because she wanted the world to know what had happened to her baby. Plus, we thought about George Floyd and [how footage of his killing] sparked a movement. It is a terrible thing to bear witness, but if we let these things continue to happen in the shadows, then they will happen forever. It’s only by bearing witness that things might change.

What about your own emotional well-being while making this film?

See all my gray hair? [Laughs.] I realized later it was grief work for me, because I needed to know what happened. I had to know what happened. I couldn’t understand how someone could pick up a gun and kill their neighbor over children playing nearby. How did we get here? So many questions were just eating me, so the work was in some ways cathartic. Then once we had it all strung out and I thought it was a film, I brought on Viridiana Lieberman, who’s our editor. We had a similar sensibility about what we wanted this to be and we really committed to living in the body camera footage.

Filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir

“Body camera footage is a violent tool of the state,” Gandbhir says. “It’s often used to criminalize us, particularly people of color. It’s used to dehumanize us, to surveil us, to protect the police. What I wanted to do with this material was flip that narrative and use it to humanize this community.”

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Why not use narration?

I worked for 12 years in narratives and scripted before I segued into documentary. I learned that the best vérité documentaries are show and not tell. If you tell people what they’re seeing, there’s some room for doubt or for your bias or some questioning around it. But to me, this footage plays like vérité. There’s no reporter on the ground. There’s no one influencing what’s happening in the neighborhood, other than the police who are coming in and asking questions. I felt that made the footage and the story undeniable. No one could say that we were down there asking provocative questions. And the body camera footage is so incredibly immersive, I wanted people to have the experience of what the community experienced.

How would you describe what they went through?

Their experience felt a bit like a horror film. You have this beautiful, diverse community living together with a strong social network, taking care of each other and each other’s kids. What was so powerful to me in the body camera footage is you really got to see this community as they were before [the tragedy], and you never get that. There’s horrible shootings all the time, and we see the aftermath, right? We see the grieving family, we see the funeral. We have to re-create what their lives were like before. And in this, you see this beautiful community thriving and living together, and that was so profound. I wanted to rebuild their world so everyone could see the damage done by one outlier with a gun. How she was the only one who was repeatedly calling the police and seeing threats where there were none.

We’re used to seeing police body cam footage used as evidence following a police brutality incident, or as entertainment in true crime shows. It’s used to tell a very different story in your film.

I wanted to subvert the use of body cam footage. Body camera footage is a violent tool of the state. It’s often used to criminalize us, particularly people of color. It’s used to dehumanize us, to surveil us, to protect the police. What I wanted to do with this material was flip that narrative and use it to humanize this community.

Why do you think that Susan was not seen as a threat by the police?

She’s a middle-aged white lady. She weaponized her race, her status, and she kept trying to weaponize the police against the community. The fact that she was using hate speech against children [she allegedly called them the N-word]. She was filming them. She was throwing things at them. She was cursing at them. But the police didn’t flag her as more than just a nuisance…. After the third time she called and it was unfounded and not about an actual crime, there should have been some measure taken to reprimand her. They didn’t tell the community that they could file charges against her: “She’s harassing you all. She’s harassing your children.” It was systemic neglect. And honestly, should the police be a catch-all for everything? Probably not. But they were not equipped. They didn’t take the necessary steps and the worst outcomes happened, which is that we lost Ajike, and Susan is in prison for the rest of her life. I’m sure that’s not the outcome she wanted.

There’s a moment in the film where a policeman knocks on Susan’s sliding glass door. She doesn’t know it’s a cop. She opens the curtain and screams at him in a terrifying, almost demonic voice. It’s quite a switch from her nervous, genial 911 calls.

Yeah, the jump scare. That was one of the moments where I was like, “Oh, there she is.” And the 911 call, after she shot Ajike. She was hysterical. Then her voice changes when she says, “They keep bothering me and bothering me, and they won’t f— stop.” I felt my heart clench, because it’s like, “Oh, there she really is.” She has this way of going between victim and aggressor. A little Jekyll and Hyde. It’s frightening.

The victim/aggressor dynamic is part of what makes “stand your ground laws so dangerous. They can be weaponized.

“Stand your ground” policy was born in Ocala and now it’s in around 38 states, in different forms. It’s a law that emboldens people to pick up a gun to solve a dispute. If you can other-ize your neighbor to the extent of [killing] them, the question is, what else will you do? What else will we tolerate? As human beings, how we show up in our communities is a reflection of how we show up in the world. This film takes place on this tiny street, but it is a microcosm of what is happening today. Susan represented the dangers, and that little community represented the best of what’s under threat.

Source link

India lose to England by four runs in ICC Women’s World Cup cricket | Cricket News

England rallied to secure their semifinal spot at the World Cup while India’s defeat jeopardises their last-four chances.

England dug in for a four-run victory over India to clinch a semifinal spot at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup on Sunday, leaving the tournament co-hosts in a five-way contest for the remaining place in the final four.

Chasing a winning target of 289, India stumbled from a position of strength to fall just short as they were restricted to 284-5 in their 50 overs.

India were on course for victory for much of their innings – Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 88, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur hit a run-a-ball 70.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt picked up 2-47 and left-arm spinner Linsey Smith bowled a tight spell of 1-40 in 10 overs, including the key wicket of Mandhana, to apply the brakes on the home team and help pull off a stunning win.

It was India’s third straight loss – following defeats to Australia and South Africa – and stunned the home crowd at Holkar Stadium.

This was after England opted to bat first and posted 288-8, with Heather Knight contributing 109 off 91 balls.

England joined defending champions Australia and South Africa in the semifinals with a fourth win in five games. The four-time champions next play Australia on Wednesday at the same venue.

India are still fourth with four points from five games and need a massive turnaround in form against New Zealand on Thursday and Bangladesh on Sunday in their remaining two group games.

“Smriti’s dismissal was the turning point,” Kaur said. “We had sufficient batting to finish the game, but I don’t know how things went the other way. Credit to England – they kept bowling well and kept getting wickets.”

Co-hosts Sri Lanka take on Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai on Monday.

Linsey Smith reacts.
England’s Linsey Smith, right, celebrates after taking the key wicket of Mandhana for 88 during the India run chase [Ajit Solanki/AP Photo]

India come close

The chase did not get off to the best start. Pratika Rawal was caught behind for six, while Charlie Dean trapped Harleen Deol leg before wicket for 24.

Mandhana and Kaur then combined at 42-2, and the pair added 125 runs off 122 balls for the third wicket, with India seemingly cruising on a batting-friendly surface.

Kaur reached her half-century off 54 balls, while Mandhana was content with playing an anchoring role. She reached her second consecutive fifty off 60 balls.

Sciver-Brunt got the breakthrough to dismiss Kaur, but India were still favourites to win.

Deepti Sharma hit 50 off 57, and put on 67 off 66 with Mandhana.

India needed 62 off the last 60 deliveries, but momentum swung when Mandhana went for a big shot against Smith in the 42nd over and was caught on the boundary.

India slipped from 234-3 to 262-6 in 33 deliveries with Sharma out caught off Sophie Ecclestone (1-58) in the 47th over.

England piled on the pressure as Amanjot Kaur (18 not out) and Sneh Rana (10 not out) were unable to finish off the chase.

Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana react.
India’s Amanjot Kaur, left, and Sneh Rana react after losing the match against England at Holkar Cricket Stadium [Surjeet Yadav/MB Media via Getty Images]

Knight shines

Knight scored her third ODI hundred to lead England’s innings.

England made a good start with openers Tammy Beaumont (22) and Amy Jones putting on 73 runs. Jones scored 56 off 68 balls.

Off-spinner Sharma accounted for both openers before Knight took over the innings, including a 113-run third-wicket stand with Sciver-Brunt (38 off 49).

“I got myself in and put down the accelerator. It felt like we needed 300 on that pitch, but it was frustrating to not get there in the end,” Knight said. “I was desperate to put in a statement performance for my 300th [international game] and I am pleased to do that.”

Knight reached her century off 86 balls, including 14 fours and a six. She was run out in the 45th over as England slipped towards the end, conceding five wickets for 31 runs across 5.1 overs.

Sharma returned figures of 4-51 in 10 overs and followed up with a half-century, but it was not enough on the day.

Heather Knight reacts.
Heather Knight’s blistering 109 runs off just 91 balls set the tone for the England win against India [Ajit Solanki/AP Photo]

Source link

Sean Dyche: Nottingham Forest in advanced talks to appoint former Everton and Burnley manager

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sacked Nuno just three matches into the campaign and replaced him with Postecoglou.

The Australian failed to win a game and his dismissal – 39 days after his appointment on 9 September – meant his stint at Forest is the shortest permanent managerial reign in Premier League history.

Dyche was on the books of Forest as a youth team player in the late 1980s while Brian Clough was manager, but never made a first-team appearance.

He has not had a managerial job since being sacked by Everton in January after just under two years in charge of the Toffees.

Dyche won 21, lost 31 and drew 23 of his 75 Premier League matches as Everton boss, guiding the club to 17th and 15th-place finishes.

Prior to that Dyche spent nearly a decade as Burnley manager between October 2012 and April 2022, twice winning promotion to the top flight and helping the Clarets qualify for Europe for the first time since 1967.

He also had a stint in charge of Watford for the 2011–2012 season, only to lose his job following a change of ownership.

Kettering-born Dyche spent his entire playing career as a defender outside of the top flight, making more than 500 appearances for clubs including Chesterfield, Bristol City, Millwall, Watford and Northampton.

Source link

Yellowstone star looks totally different in first look at ‘exquisite’ comedy

The cult comedy, which stars Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern and Carol Burnett, is returning for a second season next month

Yellowstone star Josh Lucas appears completely different in the forthcoming second series of Palm Royale, arriving on Apple TV+ next month.

The quirky comedy features Kristen Wiig as an ambitious social climber attempting to break into an elite society circle in 1960s Florida.

Despite garnering merely 56 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, the debut series has slowly cultivated a devoted fanbase who insist it’s been “underrated” by reviewers.

Fortunately, it also proved sufficiently popular to secure a second series, which will see Wiig’s Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons reunited with Lucas, who plays her on-screen spouse Douglas Darby Dellacorte-Simmons.

Lucas, who has also appeared in films Sweet Home Alabama and Ford v Ferrari, is familiar to Yellowstone viewers for his portrayal of a younger Kevin Costner’s central character John Dutton in flashback sequences, reports the Mirror US.

Nevertheless, he appears utterly different in the sneak peek at Palm Royale series two, trading his cowboy hat and denim for a leather jacket, shades and aviator’s cap.

Viewers who have already watched the first series will have witnessed Lucas sporting a 60s-style haircut, complete with sideburns, and a freshly-shaved appearance.

The upcoming series will continue with Maxine grappling with Douglas’ infidelity as well as the impending arrival of his child with another woman.

If you haven’t already caught up with Palm Royale’s inaugural series, now’s the ideal moment as newcomers still have until 12th November before series two begins.

Viewers have been singing praises for the first series, with one Redditor posting: “Okay, what is up with the rating? This show is fabulous.”

“A lot of people don’t understand the tone of the show,” another viewer concurred.

“It’s camp, it’s fun, it’s a technicolor spectacular I wish everyone could just enjoy it and let it grow for a few more seasons.”

A third fan chimed in: “This is my favourite new show in the past few years! What talent! What writing!

“So incredibly funny and fabulous. Love the fashion and the cinematography. Every week keeps me wanting more! Love is an understatement!”

Apple TV+ Annual Plan

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image

£119.88

£89

Apple TV+

Get Apple TV+ here

Apple TV+ members can save £30.88 by paying for a year up front.

The series also boasts several five-star Google reviews, with one viewer penning: “Love Kristen Wiig. Hilarious, comedic genius.

“Then I searched out the cast and I knew I couldn’t pass it up. Carol Burnett… The Queen of everything, Laura Dern. The leading cast is exquisite, all the parts are moving. This show is so much fun and quite entertaining with absurd scenarios.”

Will you be giving Palm Royale a chance now it’s returning for another round of misadventures in Florida?

Palm Royale season 2 premieres Wednesday, 12th November on Apple TV+. Yellowstone is available to stream on Paramount+.

Source link

Artillery shell detonates over California highway, striking patrol car

Oct. 20 (UPI) — An artillery shell fired during a Marine Corps demonstration on Saturday detonated prematurely over California’s Interstate 5, striking a California Highway Patrol vehicle with debris, authorities said.

No injuries were reported, but the vehicle was damaged, CHP said Sunday in a statement.

The live-fire event at Camp Pendleton was part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Red Beach.

The incident occurred over a stretch of the I-5 where CHP officers were supporting a traffic break during the live-fire training demonstration.

The live shell was said to have detonated prematurely mid-air.

The Marine Corps has been notified of the incident, and additional live-fire demonstrations were canceled, CHP said.

“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado, who identified himself as an active Marine, said in a statement. “It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway.”

The demonstration involved elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. Third Fleet, highlighting the Navy-Marine Corps’ “ability to project combat power globally, from ship to shore, with speed and precision,” the I Marine Expeditionary Force said Saturday in a statement.

“The CHP has filed an internal report on the incident, with a recommendation to conduct an additional after-action review into the planning, communication and coordination between federal, state and local governments around the event on Saturday, October 18, to strengthen protocols for future demonstrations and training events near public roadways,” it said.

Spokesperson Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis told CNN in a statement that the Marine Corps was investigating.

“We are aware of the report of a possible airborne detonation of a 155mm artillery round outside the designated impact area during the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration,” Dreibelbis said.

“The demonstration went through a rigorous safety evaluation, and deliberate layers of redundancy to ensure the safety of fellow citizens,” he added. “Following established safety protocols, firing was suspended.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom had closed the section of I-5 ahead of the event as a precaution.

Ahead of the event, the Democratic governor lambasted President Donald Trump for scheduling the demonstration over the civilian transportation route.

“This president is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety,” he said in a statement. “Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous. Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn’t strength — it’s reckless.”

Newsom, a potential Democratic presidential candidate, and Trump have been in a very public feud for years. During Trump’s second term, Newsom has especially targeted Trump with criticism over his immigration policies and deployments of the military to Democratic-led states.

On Sunday, Newsom said, “this could have killed someone.”

“This is what the White House thought was fine to fly over civilians on a major freeway,” the California governor’s press office said in its own statement on X, which included a picture of a soldier carrying the large munition on his shoulder.

“Thankfully, the Governor closed it.”

Source link

South Korea Aims to Become World’s 4th-Largest Defence Power by 2030

South Korea is setting its sights on joining the ranks of the world’s top four defence powers by 2030, with President Lee Jae Myung announcing a major funding boost for weapons and aerospace research at the country’s largest-ever arms fair on Monday.

Speaking at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025, President Lee unveiled plans for a “larger-than-expected budget” dedicated to defence innovation, including next-generation weapons, unmanned systems, and AI-driven combat technology.

South Korea, currently ranked 10th globally in arms sales according to SIPRI data, has rapidly emerged as a major weapons exporter, fueled by rising global demand following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Becoming one of the top four powerhouses in the defence industry is by no means an impossible dream,” Lee declared, outlining a strategy centered on self-reliance and technological sovereignty.

Technological Focus: Building Independence

Lee emphasized that Seoul’s path to military dominance will hinge on indigenous innovation from advanced semiconductors to locally developed materials and components critical for modern warfare systems.

“We will establish technological sovereignty by focusing investment on technologies, parts, and materials that must be secured independently,” Lee said, signaling a drive to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthen Korea’s high-tech defence ecosystem.

Why It Matters

South Korea’s defence surge represents a new phase in global power dynamics, as traditional arms leaders like the U.S., Russia, and China face rising competition from technologically agile exporters. The move also underscores Seoul’s bid to leverage its world-class electronics and shipbuilding expertise for military dominance.

With defence exports surging from howitzers and missiles to warships and ammunition South Korea is fast becoming a preferred arms supplier for nations seeking reliable alternatives amid supply disruptions from traditional powers.

Government: Pledging billions in R&D and industry subsidies through 2030.

Korean Defence Firms (Hanwha, LIG Nex1, Hyundai Rotem): Showcasing AI-enhanced and unmanned weapons at ADEX to attract new export clients.

Overseas Buyers: Poland, Australia, and the UAE remain top partners, signaling Seoul’s growing footprint in both European and Middle Eastern markets.

Industry Analysts: See the move as a turning point that could push South Korea past traditional mid-tier arms exporters like France and the U.K. in global rankings.

What’s Next

South Korea plans to use the ADEX 2025 platform to announce new export deals and joint ventures aimed at expanding its defence technology abroad. The government is expected to release its 2030 Defence Industry Roadmap early next year, detailing specific spending targets and export goals.

If successful, Seoul’s ascent could redefine Asia’s military-industrial balance transforming the country from a security consumer into one of the world’s dominant arms producers.

With information from Reuters.

Source link

Jenny Powell, 57, shows off age-defying body after getting ‘game-changing’ treatment

JENNY Powell showcased her age-defying body following ‘game-changing’ treatment.

The radio and TV presenter, 57, took to Instagram and posted videos highlighting her incredible features.

Jenny Powell revealed the results following “game changing” treatmentCredit: Refer to source
The former Wheel of Fortune star showcased her age defying-looks to her followersCredit: Refer to source
Jenny is no stranger to wowing fans with her stunning looksCredit: Splash

Addressing her followers, Jenny revealed the results of lymphatic drainage treatment.

It is intended to help move lymphatic fluid in the body, which can boost immune function, as well as reduce swelling and inflammation.

She captioned the post: “Ever tried lymphatic drainage?”

Jenny revealed to the camera: “I just had the best lymphatic drainage treatment. It’s so nurturing.”

Read more on Jenny Powell

GOLDEN HOUR

Jenny Powell, 57, hasn’t aged a day as she strips off to a bikini to sunbathe


pow wow!

Jenny Powell, 57, looks incredible on the Brit Fest stage in a tiny gold dress

Her updates also included before and after photos highlighting the treatment.

She told her followers: “I feel lighter, less sluggish and more in tune with my body.

“This lymphatic drainage treatment @thelymphclinic_ has changed the game for me.

“You know me , I like to find holistic alternatives to help me in my wellbeing journey

“A little lymphatic drainage around the tummy goes a long way! 

“It helps shift that stubborn bloating, boosts digestion, and gets everything flowing again — think flatter, lighter and less puffy. 

“It’s like a gentle wake-up call for your gut, your glow and your energy!”

Last month, Jenny sent her followers wild with stunning snaps from an Ibiza holiday.

The former Wheel of Fortune star looked incredible in a patterned bikini as she unwound after watching her friends tie the knot.

She wrote on Instagram: “We chilled, did nothing, did everything and celebrated the marriage of two beautiful souls @positivepsychotherapyandyoga and all amongst the natural beauty and cosmic energy of @atzaro_hotel what a magical energy we all created.

“Thank you Steve and Lyndsey, thank you @leanelacase .. more magical moments incoming!!”

Jenny reclined on a large outdoor bed surrounded by plants and foliage and basked in the golden sun.

The hotel she stayed at calls itself the “best luxury hotel Ibiza” and it has plenty of five star reviews from happy customers.

Rooms at the ‘nature-connected’ accommodation start from £225 for a standard double room for a night, while suites can cost £774-a-night.

Jenny’s fans complimented her snaps with one writing: “A bronze goddess looking beautiful as always.”

WORK WONDERS

The 11 best ‘passion jobs’ where you don’t need a degree and earn up to £46k


RADIO SILENCE

Loose Women star Kaye Adams is ‘taken off air over complaints from staff’

Another said: “Absolutely Gorgeous.”

A third posted: “I mean the only statement is wow.”

Her other past shows include Daybreak, Gimme 5 and UP2UCredit: Getty

Source link

South Korea arrests North Korean soldier for crossing fortified border | Military News

The incident is the first alleged defection of a North Korean soldier in more than a year.

South Korea says it has taken a North Korean soldier into custody after he crossed the country’s heavily guarded border.

The soldier crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) that divides the peninsula on Sunday, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, which said it “tracked and monitored” the soldier before securing him.

Recommended Stories

list of 4 itemsend of list

South Korea’s military said it would investigate the circumstances of the soldier’s crossing – a relatively rare incident in the mine-strewn border zone between the two nations still technically at war.

South Korean media described the crossing near the central part of the border as a “defection”, with the Chosun Ilbo daily saying the soldier expressed his wish to defect after being approached by a South Korean soldier.

If confirmed, the soldier would join tens of thousands of North Koreans who have fled poverty and repression in North Korea since the peninsula was split by war in the 1950s. Last year, 236 North Koreans arrived in the South, with women accounting for 88 percent of the total.

The last time a soldier from North Korea, which derides defectors as “human scum”, escaped to the South was in August last year.

Most defectors, however, take a different route – escaping across North Korea’s border with China before eventually making their way to the South. Direct crossings between the two Koreas are relatively rare and extremely risky, as the border area is full of mines and well-monitored on both sides.

Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said the latest soldier who crossed the border may have been able to navigate the dangerous terrain due to his “likely familiarity with the area”.

“The latest crossing will not be received positively by Pyongyang, as he could provide the South with information on its troop movements and operations in the border area,” the analyst told the AFP news agency.

In July, a North Korean civilian crossed the border by foot in a 20-hour operation aided by the South’s military.

The latest crossing came four months after liberal politician Lee Jae-myung took office as South Korean president, following months of political chaos, which began with the conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol’s short-lived attempt to impose martial law in December.

Lee has taken a different stance from his predecessor on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, promising to “open a communication channel with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through talks and cooperation”.

Diplomatic efforts have stalled on the Korean Peninsula since the collapse of denuclearisation talks between Washington and Pyongyang in 2019 during the first United States President Donald Trump administration, after a series of Trump-Kim summits, globally watched spectacles that bore little concrete progress.

Source link