Yearly Archives: 2025

business, celebrity, family, fashion, travel

Glamorous Lauren Sanchez wears a cleavage boosting silk Valentino dress as she joins husband Jeff Bezos and his daughter for a lavish dinner in Paris

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Lauren Sanchez looked incredible in a Valentino dress as she joined husband Jeff Bezos and his daughter for a lavish dinner in Paris on Sunday.

The former journalist, 55, was snapped exiting alongside the billionaire Amazon tycoon, 61, and his adoptive daughter, whom he shares with ex-wife MacKenzie Scott. The American philanthropist was the epitome of fashion in the silk ruched number, flashing a glimpse of her ample assets. She accessorised the stunning dinner look with a quilted red chain-strap bag, also from Valentino, and wore elegant matching heels.

Meanwhile, the business mogul opted for an all-black look and shielded behind dark shades.

The wealthy entrepreneur, who was ranked by Forbes as the third richest person in the world in May 2025, shares three sons and one daughter with his ex-wife MacKenzie, and one adopted son with Lauren, who also has three kids of her own.

The couple’s appearance comes almost three months after she said “I do” to Jeff during their Venice nuptials. Described as the “wedding of the century,” the Amazon founder and former journalist exchanged vows in front of almost 200 VIP guests on San Giorgio Maggiore island.

Following the ultra-exclusive ceremony, the billionaire couple threw a star-studded reception attended by high-profile guests, including the Kardashian sisters, Oprah Winfrey, Ivanka Trump, Usher, and Orlando Bloom. The extravagant affair, reportedly costing $20 million and drawing ire from locals, was capped off with an eyebrow-raising gift from the bride.

The wedding, held two years after Jeff proposed to Lauren aboard his $500 million superyacht, was described as “extremely intimate” with a strict no-phone policy. Around 70 of the 200 guests were family members.

During wedding week, the philanthropist debuted her stunning Schwartz ring while stepping out in a Schiaparelli gown. Courtesy of celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz, the ring is believed to be around 30 carats and valued between $1.5 million and $3 million.

“We don’t have a lot of traditions that we’re keeping,” Sanchez told Vogue ahead of the big day. “I mean, I love traditions, but for a 55-year-old woman, it’s a little different.”

While her Dolce earrings served as the traditional “something borrowed,” Lauren gave “something blue” a cosmic twist by carrying an artifact from her recent 11-minute space journey.

“Blue Origin,” she said. “It’s something from my space flight.”

The ex-journalist carried a secret, nearly unattainable souvenir from space, explaining it was “because it was literally one of the most profound experiences I’ve ever had in my life.”

“Seeing Earth from space, I came down and I couldn’t describe it,” she told Vogue. “It was the greatest experience I’ve ever had. Jeff said, ‘It’s gonna change you more than you think,’ and it completely has, visually, spiritually.”

But the lavish celebrations also ruffled some feathers, with the nuptials facing backlash from locals as well as activists.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15164787/Lauren-Sanchez-Jeff-Bezos-daughter-dinner-paris.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

comeback, football, sports, team, victory

Renck: In signature win for Sean Payton, Broncos prove they’re afraid of nobody with remarkable comeback vs. Eagles

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Broncos Rally Past Eagles in Stunning 21-17 Victory

PHILADELPHIA — The quarterback fought frustration. The tight end remained in witness protection. The cornerback got cooked. The penalties, each more ridiculous than the last, mounted. The Broncos were on the verge of getting skunked. Then something remarkable happened. They finished. They met the moment. At last.

Trailing by 14 points against the defending champion Eagles—who had not lost a home game in 13 months—the Broncos rallied for a 21-17 victory, surviving a heart-in-a-blender Hail Mary pass.

Broncos Analysis: A Blueprint for Success

This game threatened to become a blowout. Instead, it became the blueprint. You saw it: run the ball, convert third downs, use the middle of the field, and turn Nik Bonitto loose (not sure if he showers after games or just licks his paws).

As the football sat lonely in the corner of the end zone with time expired, safety Talanoa Hufanga taunted Philadelphia fans, raising his arms in the air for dramatic effect. The swagger and confidence were no longer just a locker room thing—they were out in the open for everyone to see.

The Broncos are back in every January conversation. They are 3-2 and should be favored in their next seven games. In a remarkable final 15 minutes, they transformed the lingering narrative that they were frauds into a story inspiring fear.

These players, who were the equivalent of a clenched fist after walk-off losses to the Colts and Chargers, punched back. Enough was enough.

“When that ball went up in the air and those two (Eagles receivers DeVonta Smith and A. J. Brown) thought they had it, there was no way I was letting that happen,” Surtain said. “It wasn’t going to be a horror story. Not today. We were writing the perfect story.”

Puff out your chest, Broncos Country. Embrace this group. Why not?

Sean Payton wants the bright lights, the biggest challenges, and his team beat the champs as he passed mentor Bill Parcells on the NFL’s all-time wins list. The Broncos knocked out a great team—in a close game.

Want to be taken seriously? Beat teams you are not supposed to beat—in games you are not supposed to win. That was Sunday.

“That is just who we are,” left tackle Garett Bolles said. “We believe in each other.”

Turning the Tide

They were all they had through three quarters. At one point, the Broncos punted six straight times. CBS did not assign Jim Nantz and Tony Romo this game to narrate a documentary on Jeremy Crawshaw. The excuses were lining up: short week, early start back East. Visiting teams prior to a game in London were 10-17.

“And then we come out and make mistakes. I obviously had one,” said cornerback Riley Moss, who Smith outran for a 52-yard completion on third-and-17. “But guys never stopped competing.”

The fourth quarter turned paint-by-numbers into Picasso. Bo Nix looked like an elite quarterback. He led three scoring drives, completing 9 of 10 passes for 127 yards. He found Evan Engram, who was called out by Payton for bad body language. Engram responded with two catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.

Nix turned to the one player he never had chemistry with last season, college teammate Troy Franklin, drilling a strike for a two-point conversion. And when it mattered most, he leaned on Courtland Sutton—they share the same biorhythms on third down.

Even then, the Broncos needed one more drive to close out the Eagles, and J. K. Dobbins became the Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki. They won between the lines. But also conquered demons between their ears, improving to 3-8 in one-score games over the past two years, including 2-2 this season.

“Today we showed we’re mentally tough,” Dobbins said. “We showed we are a dangerous team.”

Payton’s Signature Win

Let’s be clear. This is Payton’s signature win with the Broncos. Better than the victories at Buffalo, at Tampa Bay, and the streak-buster against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles were 20-1 in their last 21 games.

“You always get a chance to see where you are at. We talked a lot about that,” Payton said. “Our guys did a good job of preparing, and I think the locker room prior to today felt like this would be the result. I have done this long enough. I have pretty good instincts.”

And you wonder if the message to run the ball—written again on his play sheet—finally seeped into his brain as the Broncos imposed their will. Unable to win at the line of scrimmage, the Eagles crossed the line.

The Broncos benefitted from a suspect personal foul on linebacker Zach Braun that extended a late drive. Denver’s patience was rewarded when Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo committed malpractice. With Philadelphia holding a 14-point cushion, he kept passing.

At one point, the Eagles had a 20-second drive. Saquon Barkley finished with six carries—one in the fourth. The same criticisms we have lobbed at the Broncos applied to them. The Eagles abandoned the run. They got cute. And they did dumb stuff.

The Return of the Old Broncos

Sunday, the Broncos were not the same old Broncos. They were the old Broncos, like from 2015—a team that had the discipline, defense, and determination to beat anyone, anywhere.

No, Denver was not without sin. This was not perfection. But it was retribution.

In the smoke-filled celebratory locker room, Payton stood in front of the team and asked a simple question: Who are you afraid of? The answer? Nobody!

“It was electric,” Moss said. “We proved something today.”

https://www.denverpost.com/2025/10/05/broncos-eagles-sean-payton-signature-win/

diplomacy, international, national development, politics, security

Forging unity in foreign affairs: Diplomacy, security and national development

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Tonight marks a milestone—40 years of the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations (PCFR). But this is more than a celebration of longevity. It is a reaffirmation of a shared commitment to the future of our nation in an ever-changing world.

The PCFR was born in 1985, in a time of national transition. Fifteen visionaries—among them

https://business.inquirer.net/550882/forging-unity-in-foreign-affairs-diplomacy-security-and-national-development

business, entertainment, international, soccer, sports

Juventus 0-0 Milan – Honours even in cagey affair in Turin as Pulisic misses penalty

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**Juventus and Milan Share the Points After Goalless Draw at Allianz Stadium**

Juventus and Milan played out a tense 0-0 draw at the Allianz Stadium this evening, a match marked by a dramatic penalty miss from in-form Rossoneri forward Christian Pulisic.

The game started as a cagey affair, with neither side willing to take many risks early on. An early promising move saw Davide Bartesaghi make a strong run down the left flank, delivering a good ball into the box for Fofana, who unfortunately ballooned his shot over the bar.

Jonathan David continued his struggles in front of goal in the first of two communication mix-ups with Weston McKennie. David rose to meet a cross and headed the ball down to McKennie, who lacked the time to react effectively. The following ten minutes were slow and battle-heavy in midfield, but the play shifted out wide again, resulting in another cross for McKennie—who reacted too slowly and conceded a free-kick for a foul on Fofana.

**Both Sides Threaten Mainly From Wide Areas But Lack the Final Touch**

Both teams looked most dangerous down the flanks, exploiting the space behind the compact defenses. Milan’s first clear chance came just after the 20-minute mark when Christian Pulisic stole possession in midfield and made a surging run into Juventus’ penalty area before losing his footing.

A poor clearance from Juventus nearly gifted Fofana a golden opportunity, but the Old Lady’s defense quickly recovered to snuff out the danger. David and McKennie mixed up their communication once again soon after, squandering another promising moment.

Juventus continued to attack down wide areas, with McKennie getting on the end of a cross but sending the ball past everyone and out for a goal kick.

Shortly afterward, Manuel Locatelli played a superb pass through to Kalulu on the right wing, who neatly set up Jonathan David. However, the summer signing slipped as he prepared to shoot, and the chance went begging.

Milan had the final opportunity of the first half when Pavlovic made a surging run down the flank, delivering a great ball into the box. Santiago Gimenez rose to head but sent his effort wide from close range.

**Pulisic Misses Penalty; Milan Rue Missed Opportunity**

The second half began strongly for Juventus. After a short corner taken by Francisco Conceicao, the winger delivered a dangerous ball that flew past everyone to the back post, where Gatti volleyed a powerful shot. However, Mike Maignan produced a brilliant reflex save to deny the Juventus defender.

Milan finally had a golden chance to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Lloyd Kelly clumsily fouled Gimenez inside the box. Christian Pulisic stepped up to take the penalty but blasted the ball over the bar, handing Juventus a huge reprieve.

Following the missed spot-kick, Milan seized control of the game, pressing hard with Luka Modric orchestrating the play in midfield.

Juventus had some flashes of attacking moments after the hour mark. Portuguese forward Rafael Leao, who came on as a substitute, almost made an instant impact. Spotting Juventus goalkeeper Di Gregorio off his line, Leao attempted to lob from the halfway line. Although well struck and forcing the keeper to scramble, the shot narrowly cleared the crossbar.

**Substitutions Fail to Break Deadlock**

Both Massimiliano Allegri and Igor Tudor made tactical substitutions in an attempt to change the dynamic of the game. Tudor brought on high-profile players like Dusan Vlahovic and Emmanuel Openda, while Allegri introduced Leao, Christopher Nkunku, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

While the Juventus substitutes injected some much-needed energy, the decision came at the cost of taking off their two most dangerous players of the night — Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao.

In the closing stages, the match lost momentum. Tudor made a late change, swapping Daniele Rugani for Filip Kostic, but it proved too little, too late.

Milan dug in to secure a clean sheet and come away with a valuable point on the road. Leao had two late chances to snatch all three points for the Rossoneri but failed to make quality contact on both attempts.

Despite the missed penalty and the late opportunities, Milan will be left disappointed not to have won at the home ground of one of their fiercest rivals. Juventus, meanwhile, can be pleased to have held firm and taken a steady point after a hard-fought encounter.
https://football-italia.net/juventus-0-0-milan-honours-even-in-cagey/

business, economy, finance, international, stock market

Fears of £600bn stock market exodus to New York

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A host of household names could quit the stock market in a £600 billion exodus from London, analysts have warned. AstraZeneca, Shell, BP, and Rio Tinto are among those seen to be “at risk” of moving their main listings to New York in what would be a devastating blow to the City.

Analysis by broker AJ Bell identified ten London-listed firms that do so much business in the US, or have so many shareholders there, that they may be tempted to make the switch. The combined value of these firms—which also include Compass, Experian, Bunzl, Smith & Nephew, Rentokil, and Fresnillo—is £620 billion.

“An onslaught of UK-listed companies upping sticks for the US would be terrible for the reputation of the London market,” said Dan Coatsworth at AJ Bell.

Miners Glencore and Anglo American, worth a combined £73 billion, have ruled out moving to New York. However, it is feared that an exodus by other top firms could see them change their minds.

Some companies have already made the switch, including CRH, Flutter, Indivior, and Ferguson, while Ashtead and Wise are in the process of moving their listings.

Coatsworth added that there is a list of UK firms that could “make a good argument for switching their main stock listing to the US.” He explained, “The more companies that move, the more the topic will be discussed in the boardroom by other companies that have a US presence.”

The latest bout of anxiety about an exodus comes after AstraZeneca last week announced plans for a full listing in New York alongside London, sparking fears it could lead to a permanent move.
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-15164387/Fears-600bn-stock-market-exodus-New-York.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

basketball, entertainment, pba, philippines, sports

Greg Slaughter in talks for possible PBA comeback with Titan Ultra

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MANILA, Philippines – Greg Slaughter has expressed his desire to return to the PBA this season after entering into discussions with new team Titan Ultra, which inherited his rights from NorthPort.

“If I’m being honest, yes. I do want to come back to play in the PBA,” Slaughter said after attending Sunday’s Leo Awards at Novotel Manila.
https://sports.inquirer.net/643115/greg-slaughter-in-talks-for-possible-pba-comeback-with-titan-ultra

american_football, football, penalties, sports, teams

Commanders' penalty leads to Chargers' opening touchdown

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The Commanders had the Chargers stopped at the Washington 11-yard line, with Cameron Dicker lined up for a field goal. Dicker made the chip-shot kick, but the Chargers took the points off the board due to a penalty.

Mike Sainristil was flagged for offsides, giving the Chargers a first down. This costly error shifted the momentum in Los Angeles’s favor.

Just two plays later, Justin Herbert connected with Ladd McConkey for a 2-yard touchdown, putting the Chargers ahead 7-0.

During the play, Herbert sustained a cut on his left hand and scraped his elbow after a 41-yard run. Despite the injury, he was efficient on the opening drive, completing 3 of 4 passes for 21 yards.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/commanders-penalty-leads-to-chargers-opening-touchdown

culture, economy, finance, lifestyle, technology

MAGGIE PAGANO: Cash is still king, right? Wrong

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If you have heard reports of a rather sweaty woman in gym gear running around the streets of Saffron Walden brandishing a crisp £50 note and cursing under her breath, that was me.

After the gym, I had stopped off at the health food shop to stock up on a few things, handing the assistant the £50 tucked into my leggings. The assistant refused my money. “But surely it’s legal tender,” I cried, “you can’t refuse it.” She didn’t budge, explaining that head office had told them not to accept £50 notes because of counterfeit concerns.

Determined, I went to the butcher’s shop opposite, where I know the staff, asking if they could break the note. Same story—no £50 notes accepted. They suggested I go to a bank. Not such a bad idea, I thought.

However, my bank, Barclays, closed long ago and only two banks remain in town. I ran to Nationwide, where there was a long queue. Explaining my problem, I asked the waiting customers if I could ask the cashier to change the note. They all said yes, of course.

One gentleman took one look at my Queen’s-head note and confidently said it wasn’t fake. That felt like a small victory. The chatter in the queue caught the cashier’s attention, and he stepped out to examine the note himself. He agreed—it was genuine. Another victory!

“But are you a Nationwide customer?” he asked. It felt like a trick question—and it was. Nationwide does not change money if you are not a customer.

By then, I was ready to raise an Essex peasants’ revolt against shops that don’t take money and banks that don’t change banknotes. As luck would have it, one of the kind ladies in the queue opened her wallet, checked her cash, and offered to change my £50.

My first call was to the Bank of England.

**Can vendors refuse to take cash?**

Yes, says the press officer—they can. Even though cash is legal tender, the concept has a narrow, technical legal definition related to contracts. No one is obliged to accept cash in exchange for goods.

**So why is cash usage shrinking so fast?**

Is it because vendors find cash messy to deal with? Are business owners being pushed by payment giants to go digital so they can be charged more? Or do most people simply prefer using cards or, increasingly, mobile payment apps? It’s probably a chicken-and-egg situation.

Whatever the reason, cash is under the kibosh. It made up just 9% of payments last year, compared to nearly half of all transactions a decade ago. It’s predicted to fall to 4% over the next ten years.

**But what happens in emergencies?**

Imagine a cyber hack or cyber warfare brings down banks. Or there are blackouts, like those recently experienced in Spain and Portugal. Or other crises such as another lockdown or war.

Being resilient is why countries such as Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands have warned their citizens to always keep cash in reserve. They’re also introducing legislation ensuring vendors must accept cash.

The European Central Bank is alert to these dangers as well. All households have been advised to store cash at home in case digital systems fail—as they inevitably will.

In contrast, the Bank of England does not have the mandate to issue such warnings; that responsibility lies with the Government. Interestingly, its Governor, Andrew Bailey, told a recent Citizens’ Panel in Wolverhampton that he always carries cash with him in case of emergencies.

Does that include any £50 notes, I wonder?
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/comment/article-15164391/MAGGIE-PAGANO-Cash-king-right-Wrong.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

conflict, humanitarian, international, politics, terrorism

Hamas starts gathering hostage remains, confirms decision to gradually disarm – report

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Hamas Begins Gathering Hostage Remains, Confirms Decision to Gradually Disarm

Hamas has started collecting the remains of hostages, confirming its decision to gradually disarm, according to recent reports. The terror organization has also reportedly requested, through Egyptian mediators, that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) temporarily cease airstrikes in the Gaza Strip to allow the process to be completed.

In a related development, on February 22, 2025, children were seen looking out from a building guarded by Palestinian Hamas terrorists during the handover of hostages in the Gaza Strip.

Photo credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869534

emotional, family, local news

Shocking Fast Food Obsession: 13-Yr-Old Boy Tries To Sell Sister’s Engagement Ring To Buy Maggi In Kanpur; Jeweller’s Honesty Brings Mother To Tears

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Heartwarming Incident in Kanpur: 13-Year-Old Brings Sister’s Engagement Ring to Jeweller to Buy Maggi Noodles

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), October 05: A heart-touching incident from Kanpur’s Shastri Nagar has left people both smiling and emotional. A 13-year-old boy visited a jewellery shop with his sister’s engagement ring—not to sell it out of greed, but simply to buy Maggi noodles. This incident has brought attention to the strong affection children often have for noodles and other fast food items.

Boy Brings Sister’s Ring to the Jeweller

According to reports, the boy walked into a jewellery shop and asked to sell a gold ring. The shop owner, Pushpendra Jaiswal, noticed the boy’s innocence and gently asked him a few questions. The boy honestly explained that he had brought the ring because he wanted money to buy Maggi noodles.

Realizing something was amiss, the jeweller immediately contacted the boy’s mother and showed her the ring. The mother was shocked to see it and confirmed that it was her daughter’s engagement ring. She also mentioned that her daughter’s wedding was only a few days away. Thankfully, the ring had not been sold, as losing it could have caused great distress to the family.

Valuable Ring, Priceless Sentiment

Reports mentioned that the ring was made of gold, and with gold prices soaring lately, the family could not afford to lose such an expensive piece, especially so close to their daughter’s wedding. The jeweller’s timely intervention proved invaluable in preserving the family’s happiness during this crucial time.

Jeweller Returns Ring, Mother Moved to Tears

Pushpendra Jaiswal stated that no shop in his market buys items brought by minors without proper verification. Touched by the child’s innocence, he returned the ring to the mother. As she left the shop with her son, she reportedly broke down in tears—both relieved and emotional.

Jeweller Earns Praise for Honesty and Compassion

The jeweller is being widely praised for his honesty and sensitivity in handling the situation. The story has since gone viral on social media, with users hailing it as a beautiful example of kindness, awareness, and understanding of children’s innocent wishes.

This incident highlights the importance of guiding children’s small desires with love and care, even when they may seem naive. Acts of empathy and honesty go a long way in nurturing trust and compassion within communities.

https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/shocking-fast-food-obsession-13-yr-old-boy-tries-to-sell-sisters-engagement-ring-to-buy-maggi-in-kanpur-jewellers-honesty-brings-mother-to-tears