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As the government shutdown persists, workers at key nuclear agencies are facing furloughs. The continuation of the shutdown has put critical operations and personnel in a state of uncertainty, affecting both national safety and employee livelihoods.
This ongoing situation raises deeper questions about the nature and purpose of work itself. Beyond providing income, work shapes identity, community, and personal fulfillment. The furloughs highlight how intertwined our jobs are with broader societal functions—and what happens when those functions are disrupted.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates as this situation develops.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/1017-cbs-evening-news-plus/
Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security Newsletter
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**Defense & National Security**
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### The Big Story
**The Trump-Zelensky Meeting: Key Takeaways**
President Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday at the White House. This meeting is part of a renewed push to end Russia’s more than three-year war in Ukraine.
*© Alex Brandon, The Hill*
https://thehill.com/newsletters/defense-national-security/5561520-takeaways-from-the-trump-zelensky-meeting/
The wheat complex closed mostly higher on Friday, as winter wheat contracts showed signs of trying to form a bottom.
CBT soft red wheat futures were 1 to 2 cents higher, with December gaining 5 ¼ cents for the week. KC HRW futures advanced 2 to 3 cents across the front months, and the lead December contracts were up 8 ½ cents compared to last Friday. Meanwhile, MPLS spring wheat futures traded steady to a penny lower, with December down 3 ¼ cents for the week.
In crop updates, FranceAgriMer estimated that 27% of France’s soft wheat crop was planted as of October 13, marking an increase from the previous week. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange reported that 90% of Argentina’s wheat crop was in good to excellent condition, though they issued a caution regarding colder weather expected next week. Their overall crop estimate remains at 22 million metric tons (MMT).
In recent market activity, Algeria purchased a total of 400,000 metric tons of wheat in a recent tender. Ukraine’s wheat exports have totaled 5.6 MMT since July 1, representing a 21% decrease from the same period last year.
As of Friday’s close, futures prices were as follows:
– Dec 25 CBOT Wheat: $5.03 ¾, up 1 ¼ cents
– Mar 26 CBOT Wheat: $5.20 ¼, up 1 ½ cents
– Dec 25 KCBT Wheat: $4.91 ½, up 2 ¾ cents
– Mar 26 KCBT Wheat: $5.11, up 2 cents
– Dec 25 MGEX Wheat: $5.49 ½, down 1 cent
– Mar 26 MGEX Wheat: $5.69 ½, down ½ cent
*Disclaimer:* On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not hold positions, directly or indirectly, in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data provided are for informational purposes only. For more details, please view the [Barchart Disclosure Policy](https://www.barchart.com/disclaimer). The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nasdaq, Inc.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/wheat-sees-buying-weekend
Most Caribbean immigrants are known for their generosity, often taking pride in giving back to causes in their homelands. For many Jamaicans in particular, supporting their communities is a vital part of their lives, whether through indirect fundraising efforts or directly contributing to their alma maters.
### Fundraising Efforts Before 2010
Before 2010, local Jamaican organizations led fundraisers benefiting specific schools back home. These schools were usually personally significant to at least one member of the organization. The funds raised were typically used to purchase much-needed supplies which were then shipped to schools in Jamaica. Beyond educational support, some organizations also solicited donations from local hospitals to send medical supplies to hospitals in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean.
### The Establishment of the National Education Trust (NET)
In 2010, a significant shift occurred with the establishment of the National Education Trust (NET) in Jamaica. NET is a registered charitable organization and a Government of Jamaica agency dedicated to mobilizing financial and quality resource investments in the education sector. Collaborating closely with the Jamaican diaspora and other local and international stakeholders, NET aims to bring transformative impact to underserved areas within the education system, ultimately increasing access to education and learning opportunities.
### New Charitable Donation Requirements
Since its inception, it has become a requirement that all charitable donations—whether financial or “in kind” (non-monetary contributions such as goods, services, or other assets)—be processed through NET. This change is in line with the Charities Regulation (2022), which ensures compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations on combating money laundering and terrorism financing worldwide.
These regulations are designed to strengthen the governance, accountability, and integrity of charitable organizations, while mitigating risks related to financial crimes.
### Community Outreach and Education
To raise awareness of these new requirements, Michelle Tulloch-Neil and her team recently invited Keisha Johnson, Director of Donor and Partnership Management at NET, to lead a Zoom meeting with many community leaders in attendance.
The majority of questions raised by participants centered around a revised NET form that now requires donors to provide a “declaration of funds” and “proof of identity.” Johnson offered clear reassurances that satisfied and engaged attendees.
“Any government-issued identification is proof of your identity,” she explained. Regarding the “declaration of funds,” she continued, “receipts from purchased items, screenshots of electronic donations to your organization, and financial statements showing money being transferred into your organization’s bank account are all acceptable.”
### Understanding the Charities Regulation of 2022
When asked whether people were aware of the Charities Regulation of 2022, Johnson responded:
“Most of our donors were made aware of the Charities Regulation through NET. In the spirit of full transparency, NET has outlined the rationale for these changes during the rollout of the new requirements to ensure donors understand their purpose. Generally, donors assume that NET complies fully with governing laws, regulations, and policies necessary to operate. This compliance allows donors to benefit from the concessions and benefits NET provides to facilitate donations to the education sector.”
She emphasized that donors can take confidence in NET’s status as a Registered Charitable Organization in Jamaica.
### Mixed Reactions to the New Regulations
Johnson noted that responses to the changes brought about by the Charities Regulations of 2022 and the Charities Policy of the Department of Cooperatives and Friendly Societies (2025) have been mixed.
“Most donors accept the requirements, which aim to verify their identity, confirm the source of donations, and ensure legitimate approval for contributions,” she said. “The few instances of pushback have come from a handful of repeat donors suspicious of the intent behind these requirements. However, after engaging in dialogue to address their concerns, they appreciated that the regulations align with global standards that guarantee transparency, safety, and integrity in the charitable sector, and they have proceeded with the donor registration process.”
### Ongoing Sensitization and Future Outlook
NET has launched a sensitization campaign targeting the global diaspora, sharing information through social media platforms and participating in diaspora events to encourage open dialogue.
While the full impact of these regulations on donor giving is still uncertain, there has been no decline in donations due to the new requirements so far. The hope is that the sensitization campaign will continue to inform and guide donors accurately, addressing any fears or concerns within the diaspora about compliance.
Open dialogue remains crucial to minimizing misinformation and fostering confidence among donors.
For more information, individuals can contact the Department of Charities and Friendly Societies or consult resources from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
https://www.phillytrib.com/caribbean_currents/jamaican-diaspora-adapts-to-new-charitable-donation-regulations/article_7b0cbdbd-1de9-4fc2-9aca-7cf59c68b43a.html
John Bolton, the former national security adviser to President Trump turned critic, pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges related to the handling of classified information.
He is accused of emailing classified documents to family members and retaining top secret materials at his home in Maryland.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Bolton’s high-profile role in the administration and his outspoken criticism of the former president.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/john-bolton-pleads-not-guilty/
Leftists are using the assassination of Charlie Kirk to push censorship and impose “hate speech” tyranny, explains educational researcher Lisa Logan. In an interview with The New American’s Alex Newman on *Conversations That Matter*, Logan sheds light on this troubling trend.
She highlights how artificial intelligence is being weaponized to rig algorithms, hunting down speech that challenges dominant narratives in an effort to squelch the truth. This use of AI for censorship raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and the manipulation of public discourse.
Furthermore, Logan draws important connections between the social-emotional learning programs promoted in government schools and elements of the occult. Her insights invite a closer examination of the content and intentions behind these educational initiatives.
For those interested in understanding the deeper implications of these developments, Logan’s commentary offers a compelling perspective on the intersection of censorship, technology, and education.
https://thenewamerican.com/video/newman/radicals-using-charlie-kirks-assassination-to-censor-speech/
A team of ornithologists from the National University of Singapore, Birdtour Asia Ltd., and the University of Queensland has described a new and cryptic species of the hawk-cuckoo genus *Hierococcyx* from Borneo — a large island shared by the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, the Indonesian state of Kalimantan, and the sultanate of Brunei.
*Hierococcyx* is a small genus of birds within the cuckoo family Cuculidae. First established in 1845, the genus currently includes nine scientifically recognized species. Commonly known as hawk-cuckoos, these birds can be found across South, Southeast, and East Asia.
“Within the hawk-cuckoos of the genus *Hierococcyx*, two tropical and subtropical Asian species form a close-knit pair,” said lead author Dr. Frank Rheindt from the National University of Singapore and his colleagues. “They are variably merged into one species or recognized as two monotypic species: the large hawk-cuckoo (*Hierococcyx sparverioides*) and the Bock’s hawk-cuckoo or dark hawk-cuckoo (*Hierococcyx bocki*).”
These hawk-cuckoos are found in forests from the Himalaya and China to Southeast Asia. *Hierococcyx sparverioides* is the more widespread taxon, breeding widely across montane tropical, subtropical, and even temperate mainland Asia and wintering to the south. Meanwhile, *Hierococcyx bocki* ranges in the montane forests of Sundaland.
Historically, species delimitation in *Hierococcyx* cuckoos, as in most other birds, has been guided by plumage differences. However, there is only subtle plumage variation across these two species.
“Since the 1990s, the taxonomy of many tropical and subtropical bird species complexes has undergone a revolution with increasing insights into the importance of bioacoustic characters for species delimitation,” the researchers noted. “Species limits within numerous tropical and subtropical Asian bird species complexes have been re-drawn on the basis of bioacoustic evidence.”
In their new study, Dr. Rheindt and his co-authors aimed to investigate the taxonomy of the *Hierococcyx sparverioides*–*Hierococcyx bocki* pair and uncover evidence for cryptic species. To do this, they used an integrative approach based on bioacoustic, plumage, and morphometric data.
The team analyzed a total of 107 sound recordings of these two species obtained from online sound libraries. They also assessed plumage differences and morphometric traits measured from a series of museum specimens.
Their analysis unearthed a distinct, previously unnamed population of *Hierococcyx bocki* residing on Borneo that can be separated from other populations chiefly by its unique three-syllabled main song.
Given the importance of vocalizations in cuckoo taxonomy, the researchers described this population as a new species to science: *Hierococcyx tiganada*.
“The new species from Borneo closely resembles its sister species *Hierococcyx bocki* from Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia,” the researchers explained. “The two are almost identical visually, but adults of the new species have a slightly grayer mantle, especially the upper mantle towards the crown, leading to a distinct lack of contrast between a gray crown and more brownish back that is apparent in *Hierococcyx bocki*.”
“The best distinguishing feature between the two species is the structure of their brainfever song: it is always three-syllabled in the new species and two-syllabled in *Hierococcyx bocki*.”
*Hierococcyx sparverioides* differs from the new species in the same characters that set it apart from *Hierococcyx bocki*. It also has a two-syllabled brainfever song, a larger body size, is less dark-gray in front of the eye, has a browner mantle less contrasting with the crown, and exhibits distinct dark-rufous streaking on a whitish background on the upper breast (compared to solid rufous with no streaking in the new species).
According to the scientists, *Hierococcyx tiganada* inhabits montane rainforests above 1,000 meters elevation.
“Despite the alarming conservation status of many Southeast Asian birds which rely on rainforest habitat, *Hierococcyx tiganada* is probably not threatened,” they said. “While Borneo’s lowland rainforests have suffered considerable loss over the last three decades, much of the montane forest in the heart of Borneo survives thanks to its remoteness and inaccessibility to logging companies and other extractive industries.”
*Hierococcyx tiganada* is relatively well known from three general locations in Sabah and one in Sarawak. There are extremely few records from Kalimantan, and the species appears to be genuinely absent from the Meratus Mountains in South Kalimantan.
However, the species is probably ubiquitous over vast areas of montane northern Borneo, often near the border between Kalimantan, Sarawak, and Sabah. The lack of widespread records likely reflects poor observer coverage away from well-established birdwatching areas.
*Hierococcyx tiganada* is the first *Hierococcyx* species to be described in the 20th/21st centuries.
“This discovery highlights the continuing importance of bioacoustic research in biodiversity discovery and further elevates the biogeographic importance of Borneo,” the authors concluded.
Their paper will be published in the *Journal of Asian Ornithology*.
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**Reference:**
Frank E. Rheindt et al. 2025. A new and cryptic species of hawk-cuckoo (genus *Hierococcyx*) from Borneo. *Journal of Asian Ornithology* 41: 34.
https://www.sci.news/biology/hierococcyx-tiganada-14289.html
**Prince William’s Promise to Princess Diana That He Will Never Be Able to Keep**
*Published Oct. 17, 2025, 4:34 p.m. ET*
Prince William once made a heartfelt promise to his mother, Princess Diana, that moved her to tears — a promise he tragically will never be able to fulfill, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
At just 14 years old, the future Prince of Wales witnessed a heartbreaking moment in his mother’s life. In 1996, Diana lost her “Her Royal Highness” (HRH) title as part of her divorce settlement from then-Prince Charles, now King Charles III.
### The Promise That Moved Diana to Tears
Though Diana retained the title Diana, Princess of Wales, the removal of her HRH status meant she had to curtsy to her ex-husband, her two sons, and other members of the royal family. This change deeply hurt Diana, who confided in close friends that it felt like the final severance from the institution she had once devoted her life to.
In a touching moment, a teenage William comforted his mother by saying, “Don’t worry, Mummy, I will give it back to you one day when I am king.” According to Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, this promise left her overwhelmed with emotion.
A source close to the late princess shared, “Diana was incredibly touched by what William said — she told friends it was one of the kindest things he’d ever done for her.” The insider explained this moment showcased the deep bond between mother and son. “Even as a teenager, William was remarkably empathetic,” they said. “He could see how much the loss of her title hurt her, and he just wanted to take that pain away in the only way he knew how.”
### A Promise Lost to Tragedy
The promise, however, would tragically remain unfulfilled. On August 31, 1997, just a year after the divorce, Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris at the age of 36 — only 368 days after the settlement was finalized.
A royal insider reflected, “It’s heartbreaking when you think about it. Diana’s loss was the defining wound of William’s life, and that small promise became symbolic of everything he couldn’t protect her from. The tragedy is that he’ll never get to fulfil it — no matter what kind of king he becomes.”
### The Divorce That Changed Everything
Diana’s divorce settlement, finalized on August 28, 1996, awarded her a lump sum of approximately $20 million and an annual allowance of $500,000 to maintain her private office. While the agreement ensured joint custody of Prince William and Prince Harry, then 12, Diana’s HRH status was permanently revoked — a decision supported by Queen Elizabeth II to maintain “necessary distance” between the monarchy and the divorced Princess of Wales.
Royal experts have noted that the Queen attempted to reassure Diana during this difficult time, promising she would always have access to her sons.
### A Legacy of Love and Compassion
In the final months of her life, Diana’s feelings toward the monarchy remained complex. She once told a royal biographer, “I would never do anything to hurt the monarchy. I have no wish to upset what is essentially William’s inheritance, whether he likes it or not.”
Those who knew Diana well say she often spoke about the importance of compassion in leadership — a lesson William seems to have embraced fully.
A family insider shared, “Diana always told William that if he was lucky enough to find real love, he should protect it and never let it go. He’s done exactly that with his wife Catherine — it’s the one piece of her guidance he’s truly carried with him.”
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Prince William’s promise to his mother remains a poignant reminder of the enduring bond between them and the profound impact of Diana’s love and compassion on the future king.
https://radaronline.com/p/prince-william-princess-diana-promise-unfulfilled-throne/
**Simon Cowell Recovering After Scary Head Injury**
*Published Oct. 17, 2025, 2:30 p.m. ET*
Simon Cowell is recovering from a frightening head injury, RadarOnline.com can report. The reality show judge was recently seen sporting a sizeable bump on his forehead while filming *Britain’s Got Talent*, following a brief absence from the show due to his recovery.
Cowell, 66, was noticeably absent during the first two days of filming in Birmingham, England. In his place, English singer Stacey Solomon stepped in as a guest judge. Simon made his return on the third day, appearing with a visible bruise on his forehead.
On Thursday, Cowell addressed the injury plainly: “I fell down some steps… and I bumped my head. But I’m fine now.”
A source close to the show added, “Simon bumped his head when he stumbled on some steps. It’s the sort of thing that can happen to anyone. Thankfully, he’s absolutely fine now.”
To mark his return, the TV judge was greeted by a choir composed of ambulance workers. Fellow judge Amanda Holden joked to Simon, “I thought they might be here in case anything went wrong with you again because you were poorly last week.”
Taking the ribbing in stride, Cowell fired back with humor: “I wish you had been around a couple of weeks ago when I actually bashed my head! Seriously – no one sang for me then!”
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### Cowell Comes Clean
Concerns about Simon Cowell’s health first arose just last month after a viral clip showed the television mogul clapping awkwardly on *The Jennifer Hudson Show*, sparking fears among viewers that he may be “nearing the end.”
The *X Factor* notable was filmed walking through the program’s “spirit tunnel,” a backstage corridor where crew members serenade guests before they take the stage. Dressed in his trademark black t-shirt and jeans, Cowell smiled throughout the performance, but it was his stiff walk and unusual clapping style that caught attention on social media.
Comments ranged from jokes about him looking like he was “standing up for the first time,” to more serious concerns suggesting his movements resembled signs of a stroke. One source remarked, “The way he and his face move – and doesn’t move in places – suggests he has had a stroke. He can barely walk properly, smile properly, or clap properly. He’s a mess.”
Another insider revealed, “People who care about Simon are rattled by how he looked in that video. They’ve started whispering about whether this could be the beginning of the end for him. His clapping and the way he moved had a lot of fans genuinely convinced something was seriously wrong.”
The source continued, “Simon has always joked about aging and cosmetic work, but this time people aren’t laughing. They fear his health is in decline, and the video only reinforced those concerns. He’s had a rough few years with accidents, and his friends worry it’s catching up to him.”
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### Cowell’s Explanation
Simon Cowell himself has downplayed the incident, dismissing the awkward behavior as shyness rather than illness. “I am very shy,” he told Jennifer Hudson at the time. “I can’t go to a pre-party. It’s my worst thing in the world, making small talk with people I don’t know.
“If we have a common subject, I’m pretty good, but years ago, if I had to go to a party, particularly if we had to stand up with a drink, with horrible food, and just talk to people you don’t know – it’s torture.”
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Simon Cowell continues to recover well from his recent head injury, and fans remain hopeful to see him back in full form on *Britain’s Got Talent*.
https://radaronline.com/p/simon-cowell-health-scare-music-mogul-head-injury-stroke/
