Author name: Don Palladino

Cuomo, Sliwa Pummel Mamdani in Fiery Final New York City Mayoral Debate
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Cuomo, Sliwa Pummel Mamdani in Fiery Final New York City Mayoral Debate

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The final New York City mayoral debate Wednesday night turned combative as Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani faced sharp attacks from both independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.

The 90-minute debate at LaGuardia Community College saw Mamdani repeatedly pressed for clear answers on education, public safety, housing, and ballot measures with less than two weeks remaining before the Nov. 4 election.

Cuomo and Sliwa repeatedly challenged Mamdani, accusing him of evading questions and offering vague policy explanations.

New York, NY – July 20, 2020: New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo makes an announcement and holds media briefing at Port Authority Administration Building at JFK

“Don’t be a politician,” Sliwa said when Mamdani avoided taking a stance on ballot proposals, adding that he was merely “appreciative that those measures will be on the ballot.”

Cuomo interjected, “Oh, what a shocker,” while mimicking Mamdani’s gestures to mock his response.

The 34-year-old Queens assemblyman, who has run on a progressive platform emphasizing rent freezes and community policing reforms, struggled to provide detailed responses to key policy questions.

On education reform, Mamdani reiterated his opposition to mayoral control of schools and support for the state’s class size mandate, but he did not outline specific steps to address ongoing dysfunction in the public school system.

On public safety, Mamdani promoted his plan for a Department of Community Safety to send social workers to mental health and domestic disturbance calls alongside the NYPD.

When pressed for specifics, he said similar programs had worked in other U.S. cities and added, “I trust the dispatchers who would be receiving these calls to make the determination as to whether there was any indication of violence.”

On housing, Mamdani said the city needed to “streamline the processes of private sector construction across the city” to address the housing shortage but offered no timeline or plan for implementation.

He also declined to take a position on several upcoming ballot measures, saying repeatedly, “I have not reviewed the proposals.”

Cuomo, appearing more assertive than in the previous debate, highlighted his accomplishments as governor, including the LaGuardia Airport redesign and the first phase of the Second Avenue Subway project.

He also declared he was prepared to “stand toe-to-toe with a hyper-aggressive President Trump” if elected mayor.

He cited the President’s description of Mamdani as “my little communist,” adding, “He thinks he’s a kid and he’s going to knock him on his tuchus.”

Cuomo then went on saying:

“You’ve never had a job. You’ve never accomplished anything… You’ve literally never proposed a bill on anything you are talking about in your campaign. You had the worst attendance in the assembly, and you gave yourselves the highest raise in the United States of America. You went from $110K to $140K, and then you never showed up for work and you missed 80% of the votes.”

Cuomo also criticized Mamdani for posing in a photograph with Ugandan Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, who has supported anti-gay legislation.

“He’s a great actor, he missed his calling,” Cuomo said while ridiculing Mamdani’s rent freeze proposal.

“Freeze the rent sounds great, yeah, it affects about 25% of the number of housing units in the city of New York. It’s not a new idea. Bill de Blasio did it.”

Cuomo later added, “And by the way, it’s all because the mayor doesn’t have the power to do it anyway. The Rent Guidelines Board does, and he doesn’t control the Rent Guidelines Board, so nothing is going to happen. It’s just the old political blather, Mr. Mamdani.”

When Mamdani attempted to assure Jewish voters he would represent them fairly, Cuomo interrupted, “You are the savior of Jewish people?”

Cuomo also faced his own challenges during the debate, including renewed scrutiny over the sexual misconduct allegations that led to his 2021 resignation.

When asked about the 13 women who accused him of harassment, Cuomo struggled to provide a clear answer.

One accuser, Charlotte Bennett, attended the debate as part of a Mamdani campaign effort to remind voters of the former governor’s past controversies.

Mamdani countered by labeling Cuomo “Donald Trump’s puppet,” arguing that Cuomo’s long tenure contributed to ongoing crises in housing, transportation, and the state’s pandemic response.

“You will hear from Andrew Cuomo about his experience, as if the issue is that we don’t know about it,” Mamdani said.

“The issue is that we have all experienced your experience.”


Sliwa joined in the exchanges, calling Mamdani’s proposals “fantasy” while also taking shots at Cuomo.

“Your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin,” Sliwa said to Mamdani, later shouting at Cuomo, “You fled from being impeached!”

Despite speculation that Sliwa might bow out to consolidate support behind Cuomo, the Guardian Angels founder maintained a combative presence, attacking both opponents throughout the night.

Analysts said Mamdani’s performance was his weakest of the campaign cycle.

“Both his opponents were in rare form, and ganged up on him all night,” communications specialist Andrew Kirtzman said.

“At one point they were literally laughing at him from both sides.”

Kirtzman added that while Mamdani struggled, Sliwa’s strong performance could complicate Cuomo’s path to victory.

“The problem for Cuomo, though, is that he needed both of them to have a bad night,” Kirtzman said.

When asked how he would rank his opponents in a hypothetical ranked-choice election, Mamdani replied, “Myself number one, and Curtis number two.”

Sliwa quipped in response, “Oh, please don’t be glazing me here, Zohran,” drawing laughter from the audience.

NYPD Seeks Woman After Newborn Found Abandoned in Manhattan Subway
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NYPD Seeks Woman After Newborn Found Abandoned in Manhattan Subway

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The New York Police Department released surveillance footage on Tuesday showing a woman wanted for questioning after a newborn baby was found abandoned inside a Manhattan subway station with its umbilical cord still attached, as reported by The New York Post.

According to police, the infant girl was discovered around 9:30 a.m. Monday on the southbound platform of the 1 train at the 34th Street–Penn Station stop during the morning rush hour. The baby had been left wrapped in a blanket on the station floor.

About 30 minutes before the discovery, an unidentified individual entered the subway station, placed the baby on the ground, and left on foot, officials said.

The video released by the NYPD shows a woman walking near 7th Avenue and 34th Street in Midtown — not far from where the baby was found. She can be seen holding a bundle wrapped in white cloths as she walks along the sidewalk.

Investigators said the woman was wearing pink pants, a red headscarf, and glasses at the time.

Authorities believe the woman in the video may have information relevant to the investigation and are seeking the public’s help identifying her.

Police officers responding to the scene transported the newborn to Bellevue Hospital, where she was reported to be conscious, alert, and in stable condition.

Law enforcement officials have not made any arrests, and the investigation remains ongoing. Detectives from the NYPD’s Special Victims Division are leading the case, which remains a high priority given the infant’s condition and the circumstances under which she was found.

Police are urging anyone who has information about the woman’s identity or the baby’s abandonment to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

The department emphasized that all calls will be kept confidential as they continue efforts to locate the woman and determine the events leading up to the child’s discovery.

Chaos at White House Entrance as Driver Slams Into Security Barrier
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Chaos at White House Entrance as Driver Slams Into Security Barrier

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A man was arrested late Tuesday night after driving his vehicle into a security barrier near the White House, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

The agency reported that the incident occurred at approximately 10:37 p.m. when the driver struck a security gate at one of the White House entrances.

Officers from the Secret Service’s Uniformed Division immediately took the man into custody at the scene.

In an official statement, the Secret Service confirmed that investigators conducted a search of the vehicle following the crash and determined there were no threats present.

The area was declared safe after the inspection was completed.

Authorities have not released the suspect’s identity or any potential motive behind the incident.

No injuries were reported, and there was no indication that the driver breached any interior White House security perimeter.

“The individual was placed under arrest by members of the Secret Service Uniformed Division,” the agency stated.

“Following a search of the vehicle, it was deemed safe.”

The Secret Service said an investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances leading to the crash and whether it was intentional.

The agency has not indicated whether federal or local charges will be filed.

The crash took place during a period of heightened security in the area surrounding the White House complex, where multiple checkpoints and barriers are regularly maintained by the Secret Service.

Vehicle access to the immediate perimeter of the White House is tightly restricted, and physical barriers are designed to prevent unauthorized entry or damage to the premises.

Washington, D.C. police were not immediately involved in the initial response but have been coordinating with Secret Service investigators as the inquiry continues.

Witness accounts from nearby streets indicated that emergency lights and additional security personnel were visible in the area shortly after the collision.

No further updates have been provided on the suspect’s condition or any possible charges.

The Secret Service said additional details will be released once the investigation has advanced.

The White House grounds remain secure, and normal operations resumed following the brief disruption Tuesday night.

Karoline Leavitt Drops a ‘Your Mom’ on Huffpost Reporter’s ‘Bullsh*t’ Question
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Karoline Leavitt Drops a ‘Your Mom’ on Huffpost Reporter’s ‘Bullsh*t’ Question

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly called out HuffPost correspondent S.V. Date on Monday, accusing him of being a “left-wing hack” who “constantly bombards” her phone with politically motivated questions.

The dispute stemmed from a text exchange between the two last week regarding President Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest.

Date had sent Leavitt a message asking whether President Trump was “aware of the significance of Budapest” before agreeing to meet Putin there for peace talks scheduled in the coming weeks.

“Does he not see why Ukraine might object to that site? Who suggested Budapest?” the reporter wrote.

His message referenced the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which Ukraine agreed to relinquish nuclear weapons inherited from the Soviet Union in exchange for assurances from Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom that its sovereignty would be respected.

Leavitt replied, “Your mom did.”

Date followed up by asking, “Is this funny to you?”

“It’s funny to me that you actually consider yourself a journal [sic],” Leavitt responded. “You are a far left hack who nobody takes seriously, including your colleagues in the media, they just don’t tell you that to your face.”

She continued, “Stop texting me your disingenuous, biased, and bullsh*t questions.”

The White House press secretary later shared screenshots of the October 17 exchange on X, writing, “For context, S.V. Dáte of the Huffington Post is not a journalist interested in the facts. He is a left-wing hack who has consistently attacked President Trump for years and constantly bombards my phone with Democrat talking points.”

Leavitt’s post came shortly after HuffPost published an article describing what it called the White House’s “Wild Response” to Date’s inquiry.

“Just take a look at [Date’s] feed, it reads like an anti-Trump personal diary,” Leavitt wrote.

“Activists who masquerade as real reporters do a disservice to the profession.”

Date later responded publicly on X within the same thread, writing, “Feel better now? Now can you answer the question? Please and thank you.”

The exchange quickly circulated across social media, drawing attention from journalists, political commentators, and other members of the administration.

Several officials appeared to adopt Leavitt’s tone when responding to Date’s subsequent questions.

In a separate article published by HuffPost on Monday evening, Date reported on War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s red, white, and blue tie worn during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House last week. That piece included a comment from Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, who responded to Date’s inquiry with, “Your mom bought it for him — and it’s a patriotic American tie, moron.”

The dispute between Leavitt and Date follows a series of tense exchanges between Trump administration officials and members of the press, as the White House continues to push back on what it describes as politically slanted coverage.

‘No Kings’ Protester Caught on Camera Saying He’d Kill Stephen Miller
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‘No Kings’ Protester Caught on Camera Saying He’d Kill Stephen Miller

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A protester at a “No Kings” rally in Seattle on Oct. 18 was recorded telling a reporter he wanted to kill White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, video posted online shows, prompting an FBI probe into the man’s statements.

Dozens of demonstrations against President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies took place nationwide on Oct. 18.

Journalist Brandi Kruse posted video of the Seattle protester being interviewed while holding a sign reading, “Would You Like To Kill Nazis [With] Me?” In the clip, Kruse asked, “Who are you gonna kill?” and the man replied, “Nazis.”

When Kruse followed up, “Who do you define as a Nazi?” the protester answered, “What do you mean?”

In a later exchange captured on camera, the protester identified a specific target when Kruse asked, “In this context, who is a Nazi?”

The man responded, “Stephen Miller is a Nazi.” Kruse then repeated, “You’re going to kill Stephen Miller,” and the protester replied, “If I had the chance, yeah, I would.”

Kruse reported afterward that the FBI was investigating the threats.

She also posted video showing another protester who said killing Miller would be “justifiable,” according to her posts.

The threats against Miller come amid an extended campaign of harassment against him and his family. Miller and his family were forced to move from their Arlington, Virginia, home after what has been described as a targeted harassment effort.

The campaign included messages painted on public sidewalks near the residence—phrases such as “Stephen Miller is destroying democracy,” “No white nationalism,” and “Trans rights are human rights”—and flyers that reportedly listed the family’s home address.

At the same “No Kings” protests, other videos circulated showing participants expressing violent sentiments toward political figures and federal officers.

In one video posted Saturday by The Maine Wire, a protester was recorded saying that for her birthday she wanted to wake up the next morning to read President Trump’s obituary.

When asked by the reporter, “You’re wishing that President Trump is dead?” the protester replied, “Yes. Absolutely.”

Separately, at a “No Kings” event in Chicago, a man standing in front of a banner for the Progressive Labor Party allegedly urged attendees to shoot U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

The man was recorded saying, “You gotta grab a gun, we gotta turn around the guns on this fascist system. These ICE agents gotta get shot and wiped out,” and added, “The same machinery that’s on full display right there has to get wiped out.”

Video originally posted to Instagram and later reposted on X by reporter Colin Rugg showed a Chicago protester making what appeared to be a “neck shot” gesture at counter-protesters who displayed a flag honoring Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

The article’s source material states that Kirk was assassinated Sept. 10 while debating college students at Utah Valley University.

The heightened rhetoric comes as ICE facilities in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have been the scenes of repeated clashes tied to opposition against the agency’s enforcement operations targeting illegal immigration.

Some rioters in Chicago called for ICE agents to be arrested or shot during earlier incidents, according to video posted online.

In Texas, two people were killed in a Sept. 24 shooting at an ICE office in Dallas, including the gunman, who reportedly took his own life.

The prompt material also notes two earlier incidents where shots were fired at ICE or Border Patrol facilities in Texas since July 4, 2025; ten people were later charged with attempted murder in connection with one of those incidents.

Authorities have expressed concern about other suspicious activity near high-profile targets.

The FBI is investigating a hunting stand reportedly set up near Palm Beach International Airport that had a line of sight to areas where the President would board or deplane Air Force One.

The climate of threats and violent rhetoric reflected in videos from Oct. 18 is consistent with broader indicators of extremism and political violence cited by observers.

A survey released in April 2025 by Rutgers University and the Network Contagion Research Institute is cited in the material as finding that 56 percent of “left-of-center” respondents believed assassinating President Donald Trump would be at least partially justifiable; the White House survived two attempts on the President’s life during the 2024 presidential campaign, according to the source text.

Officials have not publicly detailed every investigative step being taken in response to the Oct. 18 footage, but the appearance of explicit threats against a senior White House official and the reported targeting and harassment of his family have prompted federal inquiries.

Journalists and local law enforcement have circulated the videos widely on social platforms, and the FBI’s involvement in the Seattle case illustrates federal interest when threats target government officials.

The Oct. 18 “No Kings” demonstrations were nationwide and included events in multiple major cities.

The incidents captured on camera and shared online have intensified debate about political rhetoric, protest conduct, and the measures law enforcement should take to protect public officials and private citizens amid an increasingly polarized political environment.

60 Minutes Staff Stunned Silent by Question from CBS New News Editor-In-Chief Bari Weiss
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60 Minutes Staff Stunned Silent by Question from CBS New News Editor-In-Chief Bari Weiss

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CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss reportedly stunned the 60 Minutes team during a private staff meeting by asking a question that left veteran journalists momentarily speechless.

According to The New York Times, Weiss asked the group, “Why does the country think you’re biased?” during a meeting at CBS headquarters.

The question, described by attendees as direct and unexpected, prompted what multiple sources called an awkward silence from the show’s reporters and producers.

Weiss, 41, who describes herself as a centrist and has made political neutrality central to her plans for CBS News, raised the question as part of a broader discussion about restoring public trust in mainstream media.

Three people familiar with the meeting told The Times that the exchange caught many of the network’s most established figures off guard.

Among those present were 60 Minutes correspondents Anderson Cooper and Lesley Stahl, both of whom were described as taken aback by the suggestion that their reporting may be perceived as partisan.

Cooper, who also anchors on CNN, and Stahl have long maintained that their work is fact-based and objective.

The meeting followed Weiss’s first two weeks as editor-in-chief, a position she officially assumed on October 6.

Her appointment marked a significant change in leadership at CBS News, coming amid efforts by parent company Paramount Skydance to rebrand and stabilize the network after a turbulent year.

Weiss previously worked as an opinion editor at The New York Times before resigning in 2020, citing what she called an “illiberal environment.”

She later co-founded The Free Press, an independent media outlet that Paramount Skydance is now in the process of acquiring.

Her hiring by Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, the son of billionaire and Trump ally Larry Ellison, drew attention both inside and outside the network.

An insider told the Daily Mail that Weiss had been “informally consulting” for CBS before her official start date.

In her new role, Weiss has pledged to refocus CBS News toward what she calls “the American mainstream,” saying that much of the public has been “ill-served” by politically polarized media coverage.

CBS News has faced repeated criticism over its editorial direction in recent years, particularly in the wake of controversies involving 60 Minutes.

In October 2024, former President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against the network, alleging that a segment featuring then–Vice President Kamala Harris was deceptively edited.

Paramount settled the case for $16 million, which sources said helped clear the way for the federal approval of an $8 billion merger between Skydance Media and Paramount in August 2025.

The network also faced backlash earlier this year over its coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Lesley Stahl was widely criticized for an April interview with former Hamas hostage Keith Siegel, in which she asked whether his captors had starved him “on purpose or if they just did not have any food to hand out.”

Siegel, who was held for 484 days, replied, “No, I think they starved me, and they would often eat in front of me and not offer me food.”

The interview drew condemnation from media critics and members of Congress, who accused Stahl of showing undue sympathy toward Hamas.

In the weeks following the controversy, 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens and CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon both resigned amid reported disagreements over the network’s editorial direction.

Despite his long-standing disputes with CBS, President Donald Trump recently told CNN he believes Weiss and Ellison will steer the network toward greater balance.

“CBS has great potential,” Trump said.

As Weiss begins restructuring CBS News, her pointed question to the 60 Minutes team has fueled renewed debate within the network about how to address perceptions of political bias while retaining journalistic credibility.

‘MASSIVE Election Security Scandal’ Erupts in Democrat Stronghold Fairfax County, Virginia
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‘MASSIVE Election Security Scandal’ Erupts in Democrat Stronghold Fairfax County, Virginia

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The Fairfax County Republican Committee has filed a formal complaint against the county’s Office of Elections, accusing officials of distributing thousands of flawed absentee ballots ahead of several closely watched Virginia elections.

The complaint raises new questions about ballot security in one of the state’s largest and historically Democrat-leaning counties.

Fairfax GOP Chair Katie Gorka sent a letter to the Office of Elections alleging what she called “a MASSIVE election security scandal.”

The letter detailed inconsistencies in how absentee ballots have been handled and returned in the weeks leading up to the November elections.

“As of October 15, 2025, 84,062 voters had been sent absentee ballots, 77,583 in the U.S. Of these ballots which were sent, 29,106 ballots had been returned by mail and 3,366 by dropbox, with 495 absentee ballot recipients voting in-person instead,” Gorka wrote.

“As a result, a large number of incidents may have occurred resulting in violations of the secrecy of ballots.”

Gorka’s letter alleged that design flaws in ballot envelopes could expose voters’ choices, compromising confidentiality and potentially violating state election laws.

She identified the greatest risk within mail-in voting, citing testimony from Virginia Department of Elections Commissioner Susan Beals before the General Assembly’s Privileges and Elections Committee in 2024.

“The United States Postal Service’s performance is insecure for elections,” Beals had testified on September 4, 2024.

“If I had to name what my biggest concern is for the 2024 general election, it would be the operational performance of the United States Postal Service.”

According to the Fairfax GOP, the design of certain ballot envelopes allows markings or impressions to be visible through the outer layer, potentially revealing selections for specific candidates.

The letter specifically mentioned concern over ballots cast in the attorney general race, where Republican incumbent Jason Miyares is seeking re-election.

Gorka’s letter called for immediate corrective action by county officials, including notifying all affected voters, recommending in-person voting whenever possible, and ensuring strict handling and storage of absentee ballots.

“We request that the Fairfax County Office of Elections acknowledge receiving our official complaint and inform the public as to the next steps they will take to secure the election,” the letter concluded.

Fairfax County, home to more than one million residents, has long been considered a Democratic stronghold in Virginia.

However, concerns about election integrity have grown among local Republicans amid record numbers of absentee ballots and extended early voting periods.

Virginia’s 45-day early voting period began on September 19 and runs through November 1.

Voters have until October 24 to request mail-in ballots.

The controversy comes as both statewide and local elections in Virginia attract national attention.

The 2025 gubernatorial race between Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears has been closely watched across the country.

The attorney general race has drawn even more scrutiny following revelations that Democrat nominee Jay Jones sent violent text messages referencing political opponents.

In one of the messages, Jones wrote that “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head” and went on to express wishes for harm against his opponents’ children.

The incident triggered widespread condemnation, including from within his own party.

Since the messages surfaced, Jones’ campaign has faltered, and recent polling shows Attorney General Jason Miyares gaining a lead after previously trailing by double digits.

The Fairfax County Office of Elections has not yet responded publicly to the GOP’s complaint.

The FBI and Virginia Department of Elections have not announced any parallel investigations, though election monitors expect the issue to remain under review as early voting continues through the final week before Election Day.

Paris Chaos: Thieves Steal Priceless Crown Jewels in 7-Minute Louvre Heist
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Paris Chaos: Thieves Steal Priceless Crown Jewels in 7-Minute Louvre Heist

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French authorities are investigating a major jewelry theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris after a group of thieves used a basket lift to enter the building and steal priceless artifacts on Sunday.

The museum, one of the world’s most visited cultural landmarks, was closed for the day following the heist.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the incident as a “major robbery” and said the suspects carried out a well-organized operation that lasted only seven minutes.

Speaking on France Inter radio, Nuñez said the individuals “entered from the outside using a basket lift,” stealing jewels of “inestimable value.”

He said the group “manifestly had done scouting” before the theft and that the museum’s glass panes were cut “with a disc cutter.”

Authorities said the Louvre was shut “for exceptional reasons,” with museum officials providing no further details on the extent of the theft.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

Footage from the scene showed confusion among visitors as police secured the museum grounds, closed its gates, and cordoned off nearby streets leading to the historic complex.

Officers were seen directing tourists away from the area while investigators began documenting the scene.

According to the French newspaper Le Parisien, the thieves entered the museum through the Seine-facing facade, where renovation work is currently underway.

The report said the group used a freight elevator to reach the Apollo Gallery, which houses part of France’s historic Crown Jewels collection.

After breaking through windows, the thieves reportedly took “nine pieces from the jewellery collection of Napoleon and the Empress,” according to Le Parisien. One of the stolen items — believed to be Empress Eugénie’s crown — was later found broken outside the museum.

French investigators have not yet confirmed the full inventory of what was taken.

The Louvre, a symbol of French cultural heritage, has faced several high-profile thefts throughout its history.

The most famous occurred in 1911 when the Mona Lisa was stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia, a former museum worker who hid inside overnight and walked out with the painting concealed under his coat.

The artwork was recovered two years later in Florence, an event that helped make Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait the most recognized painting in the world.

Another theft took place in 1983 when two Renaissance-era pieces of armor were stolen and remained missing for nearly four decades before being recovered.

The museum’s extensive collection, which includes more than 33,000 works from across history, reflects both its global reputation and controversial past.

Some items have long been the subject of restitution debates related to looting during the Napoleonic era.

The Louvre features artifacts from ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as masterpieces from European artists including da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Vermeer.

Its most visited works include the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

The Apollo Gallery, the site of Sunday’s theft, showcases a selection of France’s Crown Jewels and is one of the museum’s most ornate halls.

Designed during the reign of Louis XIV, the gallery was later restored under Napoleon III and remains one of the museum’s highlights for visitors.

Authorities have not announced any arrests, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Police are reviewing security footage and questioning staff members and witnesses.

The Louvre, which attracts as many as 30,000 visitors a day, has not announced when it will reopen to the public.

Trump Admin Drains HHS Bureaucracy Pushing Abortion and ‘Gender-Affirming’ Care
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Trump Admin Drains HHS Bureaucracy Pushing Abortion and ‘Gender-Affirming’ Care

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The Trump administration has begun cutting staff at the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Population Affairs (OPA), an agency long criticized by conservatives for promoting abortion access and gender ideology under previous leadership.

According to individuals familiar with the matter, roughly 30 OPA employees were issued reduction-in-force notices on Oct. 10.

The move effectively sidelined most of the office’s personnel and came after the White House warned that staffing reductions would proceed if Senate Democrats continued to block government funding.

OPA’s stated mission is to advance “reproductive health outcomes and adolescent health and wellbeing by supporting high-quality clinical services, evidence-based and innovative programs, rigorous research and evaluation.”

However, administration officials have argued that the office has been used to fund and promote policies inconsistent with the administration’s priorities, particularly regarding abortion and gender programs.

Before the Oct. 1 shutdown, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed agencies to prepare reduction-in-force plans for employees working in programs lacking a current funding source or misaligned with the president’s policy objectives.

OPA was one of the targeted offices, officials said, due to its historical role in awarding grants to organizations advocating for gender ideology and abortion-related services.

OPA oversees the Title X family planning program under the Public Health Service Act, which funds projects offering a “broad range of acceptable and effective family planning methods and related preventive health services.”

While the statute bars federal funds from directly financing abortions, the Biden-Harris administration reversed a prior rule that prohibited Title X grantees from referring clients for abortion services.

Under the new rule, Title X recipients are required to provide such referrals upon request.

Affiliates of Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, have received millions of dollars in Title X grants over the years.

Regulations finalized in October 2021 also prohibited Title X projects from requiring parental consent or notification when minors seek or receive services.

Texas challenged that rule in court in 2024, prompting HHS to suspend its enforcement within the state.

Under the Biden-Harris administration, individuals connected to pro-abortion and gender-activist organizations were hired into OPA.

At least one of those employees who remained in place after the Trump administration returned to power was among those impacted by the recent staff cuts, according to individuals familiar with the decision.

OPA under the prior administration published materials describing “gender-affirming care” for minors as “crucial to overall health and well-being.”

The same office issued grants to organizations promoting gender ideology to adolescents and distributing sexual content to youth.

In July, HHS issued guidance clarifying that recipients of grants under OPA’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program are prohibited from using federal funds for materials promoting gender ideology, LGBTQIA+ issues, or “anti-American ideologies.”

A small number of employees remain at OPA to perform legally required duties, according to officials.

The administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal calls for eliminating the office entirely, continuing a broader effort to streamline federal agencies and eliminate programs deemed unnecessary or politically driven.

“HHS under the Biden administration became a bloated bureaucracy, growing its budget by 38% and its workforce by 17%,” said Rich Danker, assistant secretary for public affairs at HHS, in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois, who introduced an amendment in 2023 to cut funding for the OPA, praised the administration’s action.

“The Office of Population Affairs has long used taxpayer dollars to advance the leftist agenda targeting children and the unborn,” Miller said.

“I applaud the Trump Administration’s efforts to root out far-left programs in the federal government that undermine the very fabric of our country.”

OMB Director Russ Vought, who has advocated for reducing the size of the federal government, has played a key role in implementing the reductions in force across multiple agencies since the beginning of President Trump’s second term.

Whether the layoffs at OPA become permanent remains uncertain.

A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked the administration’s plan to dismiss thousands of federal employees during the ongoing funding standoff.

Danker said HHS “is not currently taking actions to implement or administer its RIFs” until further legal clarification.

The government partially shut down on Oct. 1 after most Senate Democrats rejected a bipartisan continuing resolution that would have kept federal operations running.

Democrats have demanded $1.5 trillion in new spending and restrictions on the president’s authority to rescind previously approved funds as part of negotiations to reopen the government.

Trump Confirms Venezuela’s Maduro Bent the Knee, Drops an F Bomb in the Oval Office
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Trump Confirms Venezuela’s Maduro Bent the Knee, Drops an F Bomb in the Oval Office

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Tensions between the United States and Venezuela resurfaced Friday during President Donald Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, after the president confirmed reports that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro attempted to negotiate a deal to remain in power.

Before the two presidents sat down for lunch, a reporter asked Trump about recent reports claiming Maduro offered extensive concessions to the United States — including oil, gold, and other mineral rights — in exchange for the U.S. backing off efforts to remove him from office.

Maduro, widely regarded by the international community as Venezuela’s illegitimate president, has refused to step down following a disputed election last year.

According to administration officials, Maduro’s alleged offer was conveyed through informal diplomatic channels earlier this month during preliminary discussions with Richard Grenell, though the talks were quickly halted by President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

When asked directly whether the reports were accurate, the president confirmed them without hesitation.

“He has offered everything, you’re right,” Trump said.

“You know why? Because he doesn’t want to f**k around with the United States.”

The remark drew quick attention from reporters in the room.

Trump has made no secret of his efforts to pressure the Maduro regime, which is under U.S. sanctions and accused of widespread human rights abuses and narcotics trafficking.

The U.S. government has previously placed a $50 million bounty on Maduro’s capture, labeling him a wanted fugitive on drug smuggling charges.

Over the past several months, the United States has expanded its operations targeting Venezuelan drug routes in the Caribbean.

The administration confirmed that multiple drug-laden vessels connected to the Maduro regime have been intercepted and destroyed.

The president on Friday also confirmed the latest such operation, which involved the destruction of what he described as a “drug-carrying submarine.”

“We attacked a submarine, and that was a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amount of drugs,” Trump said.

“Just so you understand, this was not an innocent group of people. I don’t know too many people that have submarines. That was an attack on a drug-carrying, loaded up submarine.”

According to a report from Reuters, the incident occurred Thursday in the Caribbean Sea and resulted in the deaths of two individuals.

Two others survived and were taken into custody by the U.S. Navy.

The vessel, authorities said, had been designed to evade detection and was carrying a large quantity of narcotics destined for international distribution.

The operation was part of a broader U.S. effort to target Venezuela’s illicit drug networks, which officials say help finance Maduro’s hold on power.

The Trump administration has intensified sanctions, coordinated military patrols, and provided support to democratic opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who is recognized by the United States and several allied nations as Venezuela’s legitimate head of state.

Maduro’s regime has repeatedly denied the accusations, characterizing the U.S. actions as imperialist aggression.

In recent months, the Venezuelan leader has sought to strengthen ties with Cuba, Russia, and Iran while calling on the United Nations to intervene.

Following news of the intercepted submarine, Maduro’s government issued a brief statement through state media accusing the U.S. of violating Venezuela’s sovereignty.

Venezuelan officials have not addressed the reported offer of oil and gold in exchange for U.S. recognition.

The White House has maintained its position that Maduro must step down and that Venezuela’s resources belong to its people.

Officials have reiterated that no deal will be accepted that allows Maduro to remain in power.

Trump’s comments came as the administration continues to expand its foreign policy initiatives in Latin America.

The president’s remarks, coupled with confirmation of new operations against Venezuelan drug assets, signal a continued hardline stance against the Maduro regime and its efforts to secure legitimacy through backchannel negotiations.

As of Friday evening, Venezuelan state media had not responded to Trump’s latest statement.

However, U.S. officials said intelligence suggests Maduro has already moved assets and increased security following the president’s confirmation of the attempted deal.


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