Karditsa defeated Oostende after a dramatic overtime

By Eurohoops Team | info@eurohoops.net

Karditsa from Greece pulled off a small upset in the opening round of the Basketball Champions League, defeating Belgian Oostende on their home court with a thrilling 95-93 victory after overtime.

The standout player for Karditsa was guard Brandon Jefferson, who finished the game with 23 points, including an impressive five three-pointers. Other key contributors in double figures were El Ellis III with 14 points, Noah Horchler with 12, and Demajeo Wiggins who added 10.

For Oostende, Noam Yaacov led the scoring with 27 points, while Aaron Estrada contributed 22, making them the most efficient players on their team.

Fans witnessed one of the most exciting matches of the Champions League first round in Oostende, with the outcome decided in the final minute of overtime. Karditsa had a chance to secure the win in regular time, but Silas Melson’s three-pointer thrilled the home crowd and pushed the game into overtime, tying it at 83-83.

Ultimately, the Greek team celebrated after a dramatic finish and free-throw heroics to clinch the win on Belgian soil. Oostende had a final opportunity to take the victory when Haris Bratanovic grabbed an offensive rebound following Yaacov’s missed shot, but Pierre-Antoine Gillet’s potential game-winning three-pointer did not fall.

In other Group G action, Unicaja cruised to an easy 97-66 win over Mersin in Malaga in their opening game.
https://www.eurohoops.net/en/fiba-champions-league/1877863/karditsa-defeated-ostende-after-a-dramatic-overtime/

Two men on trial in UK over alleged plot against Jewish community

Two Men on Trial in UK Over Alleged Plot Against Jewish Community

Two men are currently on trial in the UK, accused of planning a plot targeting the Jewish community. According to reports, the defendants intended to smuggle multiple firearms into the country with the aim of attacking a mass gathering of Jewish individuals.

The serious nature of the alleged plan has raised deep concerns about security and community safety in the UK.

*Illustration of ISIS terrorists.*
(Photo credit: Corbis/Medyan Dairieh, Wikipedia)

— By REUTERS
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-869814

High Prices Crippling Japan’s Cleaning Sector

Analysts warn that a growing number of companies are now closing down not from sudden shocks, but from what some describe as “giving up” bankruptcies, where owners simply see no path forward.

At a pizza restaurant crowded with after-work customers, one diner remarked, “This is about the cheapest place around.” Yet behind the counter, the struggle to keep prices low is growing.

“Ideally, we’d like to set prices a little higher,” said Anju Kobayashi, manager of the Napolis Akasaka-Hitotsugi Street branch. Ingredients such as pizza dough, ham, and cheese have all risen in price—dough alone costs 20 yen more per piece than last year. A new notice from suppliers shows that from November, the price of dough will jump by 225 yen and cheese by more than 250 yen.

To keep prices unchanged, the store plans to reduce the number of part-time workers from three to two.

From April to September, Teikoku Databank recorded 488 bankruptcies attributed to inflationary pressures, the highest number since comparable data began. Retailers, including restaurants, accounted for more than 20 percent of all cases.

The price surge has also hit small dry-cleaning businesses particularly hard. At a family-run laundry factory, owner Fumiaki Kobayashi voiced concern: “I’m extremely anxious. I don’t need huge profits, but I just want stable work.”

The petroleum-based solvents required for dry cleaning have nearly doubled in price over the past five years. Yet passing those costs on to customers remains difficult. “People are more focused on saving money,” Kobayashi said. “If we raise cleaning fees, customer visits will drop—it’s a vicious cycle.”

Adding to the strain is a broader shift in how people dress. “In the past, almost everyone wore 100 percent cotton dress shirts, but that’s no longer the case,” he explained. Remote work and prolonged heat have accelerated Japan’s casualization, reducing demand for suits and shirts that require professional cleaning.

Faced with this triple burden of inflation, frugality, and casual fashion, analysts warn that more dry-cleaning businesses may soon face “giving up” bankruptcies. Industry-wide, total sales have fallen to about half of what they were 20 years ago, Kobayashi said. “Some of my peers tell me, ‘It’ll probably end with my generation.’”

For many small businesses unable to fully pass on rising costs, the endurance test of holding on shows no sign of ending.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147199.php

ED Targets Drug Trafficking Network, Searches 8 Mumbai Sites To Track Illicit Proceeds

**Mumbai: Enforcement Directorate Conducts Raids in Drug Trafficking Money Laundering Probe**

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted search operations at eight locations across Mumbai, including Dongri, Mazgaon, Worli, and adjoining areas. These premises are linked to a money laundering investigation targeting a suspected drug trafficking network allegedly operated by Faisal Javed Shaikh and his wife, Alfiya Faisal Shaikh.

According to officials, the searches are being carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, aiming to trace the alleged proceeds of crime generated from the sale of narcotics.

### Background of the Case

Faisal Javed Shaikh, a resident of Dongri, was previously arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in 2023 in a case connected to the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate. Investigators have described him as a pivotal figure in Mumbai’s illicit drug trade, particularly in Dongri and nearby areas, with international links to global trafficking networks and operational ties to the D-Company.

Shaikh is accused of procuring MD (mephedrone, colloquially called ‘meow meow’) from Salim Dola, a notorious drug kingpin and one of India’s most wanted narcotics traffickers. Dola, reportedly operating from abroad, is believed to be the financial and operational backbone behind several cross-city and international drug syndicates.

### About Salim Dola and His Network

Investigations reveal that Salim Dola has established a vast network for supplying synthetic drugs, particularly mephedrone, across multiple states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. His operations encompass drug manufacturing, large-scale distribution, and laundering of proceeds through complex financial channels.

Dola is wanted by multiple Indian law enforcement agencies, and Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice against him. Meanwhile, the NCB has announced a reward for credible information leading to his arrest.

Officials stated that Dola played a key role in supplying narcotics, including mephedrone, to Faisal Shaikh’s network. Furthermore, Dola’s international contacts enabled the syndicate to source drugs and launder proceeds through offshore channels.

### Recent Arrests Targeting the Syndicate

The ED’s ongoing probe forms part of a comprehensive investigation into the financial framework of Shaikh’s operations, focusing on tracing illicit fund flows and identifying beneficiaries of the money laundering network.

In a significant breakthrough, Taher Salim Dola, son of kingpin Salim Dola, was arrested in Abu Dhabi in January 2025. Following coordinated efforts by the CBI, Interpol, and UAE authorities, he was deported to India. On June 13, 2025, he was handed over to Mumbai Police and is currently in judicial custody, facing charges related to a synthetic drug manufacturing facility in Sangli, Maharashtra. Authorities seized 126.14 kg of mephedrone at this location, valued at approximately Rs 252 crore.

In a parallel operation, Mustafa Mohammad Kubbawala, Dola’s nephew and a key supplier of raw materials for mephedrone production, was arrested in Dubai in May 2025. He was deported to India on July 11, 2025, following a coordinated effort by the CBI and NCB-Abu Dhabi. Both arrests mark important steps in dismantling the syndicate’s global narcotics operations.

### Faisal Shaikh’s Involvement and Legal Proceedings

Investigators have also established Shaikh’s direct involvement in large-scale trafficking of narcotics, including mephedrone and cocaine. Notable seizures linked to him include:

– 68 grams of mephedrone in 2017
– 20 kg of mephedrone in 2023
– 940 grams of cocaine in 2024

In 2025, authorities invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Shaikh. Pursuant to a detention order issued by the Joint Secretary (PIT-NDPS), Government of India, on March 26, 2025, Shaikh was transferred from Arthur Road Prison, Mumbai, to Puzhal Central Prison, Chennai, to prevent contact with his associates in Mumbai.

NCB investigations also uncovered extensive assets linked to Shaikh’s network, including cash, gold, silver, and immovable properties valued at Rs 6.40 crore. These assets were frozen under the NDPS Act during 2023–24.

### Role of Alfiya Faisal Shaikh

Alfiya Faisal Shaikh, wife of Faisal Shaikh, is reportedly involved in the financial operations of the network. While her specific role remains under investigation, her inclusion in the ED raids indicates active participation in laundering proceeds from drug sales.

### Ongoing Enforcement Directorate Operations

Officials said that the ED’s ongoing search operations focus on mapping the financial architecture of Shaikh’s network and identifying beneficiaries of its laundering activities. The ED operation is currently underway, and authorities have yet to disclose details of any seizures or arrests resulting from today’s raids.

*For exclusive updates and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, visit: [https://budgetproperties.in/](https://budgetproperties.in/)*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/ed-targets-drug-trafficking-network-searches-8-mumbai-sites-to-track-illicit-proceeds

Bengaluru Police Register Zero FIR Against Lawyer Rakesh Kishore For Attempted Shoe Attack On Chief Justice Of India

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Police on Wednesday registered a zero FIR against a lawyer who allegedly attempted to hurl a shoe towards Chief Justice of India B R Gavai in his courtroom at the Supreme Court, officials said.

A zero FIR can be registered anywhere, irrespective of where the alleged offence occurred. The FIR was filed against Rakesh Kishore under sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 133 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation) of the BNS. This followed a complaint by Bhaktavachala, President of the All India Advocates Association in Bengaluru.

“The act of Mr. Rakesh Kishore is not pardonable and acceptable by any section of society. In fact, his act is punishable. This is a grave incident to be taken seriously and the culprit must be punished in accordance with the law,” the advocates association stated in the complaint submitted to the SHO of Vidhana Soudha police station.

Kishore, 71, allegedly attempted to throw a shoe at CJI Gavai in his Supreme Court courtroom on Monday but was stopped by alert security personnel.

According to police sources, the lawyer was reportedly unhappy over the CJI’s remarks during a hearing last month concerning the restoration of a Vishnu idol in Khajuraho.

(Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/bengaluru-police-register-zero-fir-against-lawyer-rakesh-kishore-for-attempted-shoe-attack-on-chief-justice-of-india

IDF opens fire at suspected terrorists in Gaza Strip

**IDF Opens Fire at Suspected Terrorists in Gaza Strip**

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) opened fire on Hamas terrorists who emerged from a tunnel near the Netzarim Corridor on Wednesday. According to Israeli reports, several terrorists were killed, while others fled back underground.

Weapons used by Hamas terrorists to attack IDF troops in the Gaza Strip were documented on October 8, 2025.
*(Photo credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)*

By Jerusalem Post Staff, Amichai Stein, Amir Bohbot
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-869815

‘We Kind Of Complement Each Other’: Varun Chakravarthy Opens Up On His Bowling Partnership With Kuldeep Yadav

**Varun Chakravarthy on His Partnership with Kuldeep Yadav and T20 World Cup Aspirations**

India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy believes that his partnership with fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav is critical for the team’s success. He feels that the two complement each other well and hopes to recreate their magic at the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Chakravarthy shared his thoughts while speaking at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards on Tuesday. “Kuldeep is definitely one of the most experienced bowlers right now in the pool of players that we have, and he has done amazingly well. We kind of complement each other because I bowl at speeds of around 95 km per hour, while he bowls closer to 85 km per hour. So, we complement each other — he brings more revs and turn, while I offer more speed and bounce. Till now, it’s been working well for us. Hopefully, we can continue doing the same thing in the World Cup,” he said.

**Asia Cup Final: Playing Pakistan Twice Helped**

Reflecting on his success in the Asia Cup final, Chakravarthy felt that playing Pakistan twice in the tournament before the summit clash gave the team an advantage. “Of course, we plan before every match, and having played Pakistan twice before the final gave us a fair idea of what their plans could be and what they might come up with. We also had our own strategies, and finally, we did well,” he explained.

**Secret Behind His Bowling Success**

Chakravarthy believes that the pitches have played a significant role in his effectiveness. “If you look at the pitches in Dubai, they have suited me well. Even during the Champions Trophy, I performed well there because the pitches are a bit on the slower side, which helps me. My role is to keep attacking the stumps and challenge the batsmen to take aggressive shots, like going for a six. It forces them to take risks, and that’s when I can take wickets. That was the basic plan,” he added.

**“He Brings a Spartan Mentality” – On Working with Gautam Gambhir**

Talking about his working relationship with India coach Gautam Gambhir, Chakravarthy highlighted the benefit of their familiarity. “I have already worked with him in the IPL, and we won the trophy there, so nothing is new to me as I have been around him. One thing I can say about him is that he brings a Spartan mentality to the team — there’s no option of losing. You have to bring your best and give it all on the field. When he is around, there is no mediocrity; you can’t be mediocre in the field. That’s what I feel,” Chakravarthy said.

**Focus Amidst Off-Field Distractions During Asia Cup**

Despite various off-field distractions during the Asia Cup, Chakravarthy revealed that the team’s sole focus was on winning the trophy. “I don’t know about others, but our primary goal when we landed there was to win the cup and nothing else. We wanted to beat all teams and go unbeaten in the tournament to build confidence for the World Cup. Most players even switched off their social media accounts, only posting after matches. Since we were in another country, UAE, it was very quiet — there was no noise or distractions,” he said.

**On His Presence in the Champions Trophy Squad**

When asked about his inclusion in the Champions Trophy-winning squad, Chakravarthy expressed that he always expects to be part of the team but acknowledged that selectors consider conditions and team requirements. “Brother, I expect to be in every team, but it’s up to the selectors to decide. Maybe the conditions there offered less opportunity for spinners. In the Champions Trophy, I was brought in as a replacement for Yashaswi as well. It all depends on pitch conditions and team strategy,” he stated.

**Bowling Strategy: Changing Ball Sequences**

Chakravarthy revealed that he didn’t try anything drastically different at the Asia Cup apart from varying the sequence of balls. “It basically goes three ways — left, right, or straight. It depends on when I want to take the ball to the other side. Whether I bowl two leg-spins followed by one googly or two googlies followed by one leg-spin, that’s the only thing I change. Other than that, there isn’t much to alter,” he explained.

**Keeping the Mystery Element Alive**

The spinner admitted that it’s challenging to maintain the mystery element in his bowling when opponents use video analysis extensively. “Look, sports science and analytics have gone so far that even if I play one match and try something new, it gets picked up on video. But at the end of the day, the batsman still has to middle the ball and hit it for a six,” Chakravarthy concluded.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/we-kind-of-complement-each-other-varun-chakravarthy-opens-up-on-his-bowling-partnership-with-kuldeep-yadav

Mumbai News: Byculla Zoo To Build New Reptile House Featuring 13 Snake Species Including Indian Cobra And Rock Python

**Byculla Zoo to Introduce New Reptile House Featuring 13 Snake Species**

Mumbai: Following the crocodile trail, Byculla’s Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo is set to introduce a new reptile house showcasing 13 species, including the Indian cobra, rock python, and striped keelback.

The ground-plus-one structure is currently in the final planning stages, with tenders expected to be floated within the next month. Construction will commence after the tender process, and the facility is slated to open to visitors within two years.

At present, the reptile enclosure at Byculla Zoo, once home to a variety of snakes, houses only two species — the Indian rock python and the rat snake. Due to the declining number of species, the existing enclosure will be dismantled and rebuilt to better accommodate the current reptiles and allow for the addition of more species in the future.

The Central Zoo Authority has already approved the project. The new reptile house is proposed to be constructed opposite the hippopotamus exhibit within the zoo.

This new enclosure will feature 13 indigenous and exotic snake species, with a pair of each species. Informative display boards will be installed throughout the facility to help visitors identify and learn about the reptiles.

Spread across 500 square meters, the habitat is being designed by a consultant who is currently finalizing the layout. Once the plans are completed, tenders will be invited.

“The tender will be floated within a month,” said Dr. Sanjay Tripathi, Director of Byculla Zoo.

The new enclosure will be developed to house various snake species, including the cobra, Indian rock python, checkered keelback, Russell’s viper, sea snake, and others. Each species will be kept in a separate glass enclosure designed to replicate its natural habitat.

These enclosures will include naturalistic features such as rocks, trees, grass, and water to ensure a suitable and enriched environment for the snakes, enhancing both animal welfare and visitor experience.

*For details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai and surrounding regions, visit: [https://budgetproperties.in/](https://budgetproperties.in/)*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-news-byculla-zoo-to-build-new-reptile-house-featuring-13-snake-species-including-indian-cobra-and-rock-python

Nissan Bets on All-New Leaf to Drive Its Corporate Revival

“The new Leaf has evolved in every aspect—performance, comfort, and efficiency,” said Nissan Japan Marketing Chief Zen Sugimoto.

The most notable feature is its extended driving range: over 700 kilometers on a single charge, roughly 40% longer than the previous model. Charging time has also been significantly reduced, allowing the car to travel up to 250 kilometers after just 15 minutes of charging. With government subsidies applied, the price will be around 3.5 million yen.

For Nissan, the Leaf is a symbolic vehicle. As the world’s first mass-produced electric car, it once shocked the global automotive industry. Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi commented at the time, “I’m confident it will spread as we move toward a society free from oil dependence.” Former CEO Carlos Ghosn also declared, “As a zero-emission leader, Nissan Leaf marks the first step toward a new era.”

However, the early bet on EVs faced challenges—charging infrastructure lagged behind, and the driving range fell short of consumer expectations. During that time, Tesla rapidly expanded with innovative production methods and cutting-edge technology, rising to dominance in the EV market.

Now that electric vehicles are gradually becoming mainstream in Japan, competition has intensified. Honda recently introduced a mini EV, Suzuki plans to enter the market with a compact EV, and China’s BYD is set to launch its own mini electric model in Japan next year.

Meanwhile, Nissan has been struggling financially, reporting massive net losses, closing seven factories, and cutting 20,000 jobs as part of restructuring measures. The Leaf now represents the company’s hope for revival.

“We take pride in leading Nissan’s brand through electric vehicles,” Sugimoto said. “With this Leaf, we aim to create a world that embodies Re: Nissan.”

Whether the new Leaf can become the symbol of Nissan’s resurgence remains to be seen.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147200.php

‘Make Me Commissioner: I Know What’s Wrong with Baseball and How to Fix It’

Former Washington Post sportswriter and acclaimed sports biographer Jane Leavy takes readers on a behind-the-scenes road trip through the far corners of the baseball world. Her journey uncovers how the game broke and explores the people and ideas that just might bring it back.

To learn more, visit: [janeleavy.com](http://janeleavy.com)
Follow Jane Leavy on social media:
X (formerly Twitter): [@janeleavy1](https://twitter.com/janeleavy1)
Instagram: [@leavyjane](https://www.instagram.com/leavyjane)
https://wgntv.com/morning-news/morning-news-guests/make-me-commissioner-i-know-whats-wrong-with-baseball-and-how-to-fix-it/

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