Devastated children issue statement as brother Nick Reiner in court over murder of parents
Jake and Romy Reiner, the children of Hollywood movie director Rob Reiner and his photographer-producer wife Michele Singer Reiner, issued a statement Wednesday in the wake of their parents’ deaths, according to The New York Times.
“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends,” the statement reads.
Nick Reiner, the couple’s youngest son, made his first court appearance Wednesday morning after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with his parents’ deaths.
The 32-year-old, who is being held without bail, briefly appeared in court but did not enter a plea. His defense attorney, Alan Jackson, said it was “too early” and requested that his arraignment be moved back. He’ll appear in court again on January 7, 2026.
His court appearance comes as new details emerge about the Reiners’ deaths.
Romy, 27, was called to her parents’ house Sunday afternoon by the couple’s massage therapist, after there was no answer at the Los Angeles estate, according to The New York Times. After finding her father’s body inside, she reportedly fled the home in distress. She was unaware her mother had also died, and didn’t find out until paramedics told her, according to the outlet.
Behind the Headlines: The tragic truth about Rob Reiner’s son Nick and how his parents desperately tried to help him
Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with his parents’ deaths.
He has struggled with drug addiction since his teen years.
Katie Rosseinsky explores how the Reiners helped their son, and the heartbreak the family has endured:
The tragic truth about Nick Reiner and how his parents desperately tried to help him
Romy Reiner reportedly found her father dead
Romy Reiner, the daughter of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, reportedly found her father dead in their Los Angeles home.
Romy was called to her parents’ house Sunday afternoon by the couple’s massage therapist, after there was no answer at the front gate, according to The New York Times.
After finding her father’s body inside, she fled the home in distress, the Times reports. Her roommate, who had accompanied her to the scene, then called 911.
Romy was unaware her mother had also died, and didn’t find out until paramedics told her, according to the outlet.
Romy and her brother, Jake Reiner, have since released a statement on their parents’ deaths.
“The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends,” they said.
What to know about Rob Reiner’s film ‘Being Charlie’
Rob Reiner directed the 2015 film Being Charlie, which his son, Nick Reiner, co-wrote.
The film was inspired by Nick’s experiences with drug addiction and homelessness.
The 32-year-old has struggled with addiction from a young age and entered his first drug treatment program at 15.
In a 2016 interview with People, Nick recalled his experience with homelessness.
“I was homeless in Maine. I was homeless in New Jersey. I was homeless in Texas,” he said. “I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun.”
“If I wanted to do it my way and not go to the programs they were suggesting, then I had to be homeless,” he added.
Medical examiner releases death records for Rob and Michele Reiner
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has released its reports on the deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
The reports indicate the Reiners died on Sunday from “multiple sharp force injuries.”
The reports also state the Reiners died at their home, a detail which police already confirmed.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Tuesday that their son, Nick Reiner, is accused of killing his parents with a knife.
Reiner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He briefly appeared in court Wednesday, but did not enter a plea.
Security footage captures Nick Reiner at convenience store hour before arrest
Security camera footage recorded Sunday appears to show Nick Reiner at a convenience store just an hour before he was arrested, The New York Times reports.
The footage shows Reiner — who was wearing a striped shirt, baseball cap and red backpack — entering the store. He selected a Gatorade sports drink and paid for it at the register.
As he stood in line, Reiner appeared to fidget, sway in place and look around the store often, the Times reports.
Family friends said argument between Reiners hours before killing was ‘overblown’ as they provide new details on shocking murder
Nick Reiner, the youngest son of Hollywood director Rob and photographer Michele Reiner, appeared briefly in a Los Angeles court Wednesday morning after being charged with the murder of his parents.
The 32-year-old was arrested Sunday night after allegedly stabbing his parents to death in their Brentwood home. He did not enter a plea, but, if convicted, he could face the death penalty.
Reiner’s struggles with addiction were well-known, as were the lengths his parents went to in order to help and support him throughout their lives.
On the night before their deaths, guests at an A-list party recalled Rob Reiner chastising his son over his behavior – though accounts now differ as to how severe the argument were.
Keep reading:
Arguments and addiction: New details give insight into time before Rob Reiner’s death
Reiners found dead in their bedroom, police say
Dominic Choi, assistant police chief at the Los Angeles Police Department, has revealed that officers discovered Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner dead in their bedroom.
“Upon arrival, officers located two deceased individuals inside the residence, later identified as Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner. Both victims were found in the master bedroom of the area of the home,” Choi told the Los Angeles Police Commission.
“Officers conducted a thorough search of the residence to determine whether there were any additional victims or suspects. No one else was located,” he added.
The Reiners were found Sunday afternoon. Just hours later, police located Nick Reiner, the couple’s youngest son, who has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
He was found near the University of Southern California and “taken into custody without incident,” Choi said.
Famed sportscaster shares decades-old conversation with Rob Reiner
Famed sportscaster Ted Leitner shared a social media post detailing a conversation he had with Rob Reiner decades ago.
“Haunted by a conversation with Rob Reiner in San Diego decades ago,” Leitner wrote on X. “We were discussing our children realized we both had a toddler named Nick and Rob said ‘I love him SO much it’s almost like a physical pain.’ I can’t stop thinking about this wonderful man. Unspeakable horror.”
Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, was charged Tuesday with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with his parents’ deaths.
Mourners left flowers, candles in front of the Reiners’ Los Angeles home
Mourners have left flowers and candles outside the Reiners’ Los Angeles estate, located in the Brentwood neighborhood.
Pictures show a security guard standing watch near the couple’s front gate, which is decorated with holiday wreaths.
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead in their home on Sunday. Their daughter, Romy, reportedly found her father’s body.
Nick Reiner could be cut off from parents’ inheritance under California law
Nick Reiner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
If Reiner is convicted, he could become ineligible to inherit his parents’ estate under a California law known as the “slayer statute.”
“California has what’s called a slayer statute, which says if you kill someone that you’re going to inherit from, you lose your inheritance and any right to serve as a fiduciary of their estate,” attorney Sean Weissbart told People.
Duke of Marlborough charged with three counts of intentional strangulation
The Duke of Marlborough, who is also known as Jamie Blandford, has been charged with three counts of intentional strangulation, Thames Valley Police said.
The Duke, whose real name is Charles James Spencer-Churchill, who is related to Sir Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales, is accused of three offences between November 2022 and May 2024, Thames Valley Police said.
The three charges of non-fatal intentional strangulation are alleged to have taken place in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, against the same person.
The 70-year-old, who was first arrested on May 13 last year, is set to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Spencer-Churchill, who is well known to have had a long battle with drug addiction in the past, is the 12th Duke of Marlborough and a member of one of Britain’s most aristocratic families. The wartime prime minister Winston Churchill is his first cousin, three times removed.
His ancestral family home is the 300-year-old Blenheim Palace – Sir Winston’s birthplace – in Woodstock. But he does not own the 18th-century palace.
Spencer-Churchill has no role in the running of the residence and vast estate, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
In 1994, the late duke brought legal action to ensure his son and heir would not be able to take control of the family seat.
Blenheim is owned and managed by the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation.
A spokesperson for the foundation said: “Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation is aware legal proceedings have been brought against the Duke of Marlborough.
“The foundation is unable to comment on the charges, which relate to the duke’s personal conduct and private life, and which are subject to live, criminal proceedings.
“The foundation is not owned or managed by the Duke of Marlborough, but by independent entities run by boards of trustees.”
The King hosted a reception at Blenheim Palace for European leaders in July 2024, and the Queen, then the Duchess of Cornwall, joined Spencer-Churchill for the unveiling of a bust of Sir Winston in the grounds of Blenheim in 2015.
The palace was also the scene of the theft of a £4.75m golden toilet in 2019 after a gang of thieves smashed their way into the palace during a brazen heist and ripped out the fully-functioning 18-carat gold lavatory.
Rare pink fog descends on the UK as Met Office issues weather warnings
Many Britons woke up on Wednesday to find a pink fog had descended in a rare weather phenomenon.
People in London and the southeast of England reported seeing the rosy skies, which occurs when sunlight passes through layers of fog during sunrise or sunset.
The Met Office explains that when the sun is low on the horizon, its light travels through more of the atmosphere.
Because fog is essentially a cloud at ground level made up of tiny water droplets, shorter wavelengths (blue and green light) are scattered out, leaving the longer red wavelengths to dominate.
When this filtered light shines through fog, it gives the fog a pink or rosy hue, which is “purely an optical effect it does not indicate any unusual weather hazard beyond normal fog risks, such as reduced visibility”.
The blanket of pink fog comes as forecasters are warning of potential flight disruption and cancellations after fog alerts were issued across London and other parts of the UK.
The Met Office has said parts of the country have seen “dense fog” on Wednesday with visibility as low as 100m in places, causing a number of flight cancellations and delays.
Thousands of passengers are experiencing disruption after seven flights to and from London City Airport were cancelled. Flights inbound to Southampton have also been heavily delayed by the fog.
It comes as low-pressure systems move across the UK, bringing unsettled weather, fog and heavy showers. Forecasters warned the weather could lead to “difficult travel conditions”, particularly across the east Midlands and Cambridgeshire.
A yellow weather warning for fog was in place this morning covering south-east England and the east Midlands, while a yellow warning for rain has been issued in the South West.
The fog warning was in place until 10am on Wednesday, but it is still impacting flights in and out of London City Airport. Its runway is only 19ft above mean sea level, is adjacent to the River Thames and is often affected by poor visibility.
Gatwick Airport told The Independent that no flights have been impacted by the fog.
In the South West and south Wales, a yellow warning for rain is in place until 11.59pm on Wednesday. Forecasters have warned that heavy rain, especially over high ground, may cause travel disruption and flooding.
The Met Office said 10 to 20mm of rain is likely widely, with 40 to 60mm possible over Dartmoor and the hills of south Wales.
Heavy rain is expected to push eastwards on Thursday. Forecasters have issued a yellow weather warning for rain across south-west England and south Wales until 7pm, and a separate yellow warning for the southern counties of England between the hours of midnight and 9pm.
It added that within this warning area, 15 to 25mm of rain is possible widely, with 40 to 60mm possible over the Downs.
Forecasters urged people to check road closures and travel disruptions ahead of journeys and prepare for strong winds, particularly in coastal areas.
Neil Armstrong, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “We’re set to see an unsettled week as low-pressure systems push fronts across the UK. With recent heavy rain, further wet conditions will increase the risk of flooding.
“With that in mind, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecast and warnings and remember to never drive through floodwater.”
Looking ahead to Christmas week, Mr Armstrong said another low-pressure system could bring further rainy and unsettled conditions over the weekend before higher pressure takes over.
The Met Office said drier and milder weather is expected as we move closer to Christmas Day next Thursday, with some frost and mist overnight.
UK five-day weather forecast
Wednesday
Outbreaks of heavy rain and brisk winds will move eastwards through the day on Wednesday, with southeast England staying dry until after dark.
A yellow warning for rain is in place all day on Wednesday for south-west England and south Wales. Heavy rain, especially over high ground, may cause travel disruption and flooding. 10 to 20mm of rain is likely widely, with 40 to 60mm possible over Dartmoor and the hills of south Wales.
Thursday
Heavy rain is set to move north-east across much of the country on Thursday, with a further yellow warning for rain in place across south-west England and south Wales through the day.
A separate yellow warning for rain is in place for the southern counties of England between midnight and 9pm. Within this warning area 15 to 25mm of rain is possible widely, with 40 to 60mm possible over the Downs. Strong winds are expected too, gusting over 50mph in exposed coastal areas, which may exacerbate impacts.
Friday and the weekend
Friday will bring frequent blustery showers, typical for the time of year, with a brief calmer spell before another low-pressure system arrives. This could bring further heavy rain and unsettled conditions into the weekend.
Zak Crawley falls cheaply as England reply to Australia’s 371
Australia were dismissed for 371 runs in their first innings of the third Ashes Test at Adelaide. The hosts resumed day two on 326-8 and took advantage of some early wayward bowling to add 45 runs before being cleaned up by Jofra Archer.
Archer first bowled Mitchell Starc (54) before pinning Nathan Lyon in front of the stumps to claim a five-wicket haul and ensure England were not in the field for too long in rising hot temperatures. Today’s play is expected to be the hottest day of the series so far, with temperatures forecast to reach 37C during the afternoon. It could be a make-or-break innings for Ben Stokes’ side as they bid to ressurect their series hopes after losing the opening two games.
Alex Carey’s century on day one was the headline act but later became mired in controversy, however, after the decision review technology failed to show he had nicked a Josh Tongue delivery. Carey later admitted he felt a “feather” on the bat and the New Zealand-based company behind Snicko, BBG Sports, apologised for the error.
England must now bat for a long time and outscore the Australians on a flat and tepid surface if they have any hopes of keeping the series alive.
Follow the latest score and updates on day two of the third Ashes Test below.
England 40-1
There’s a ton of pressure on Ollie Pope as he comes to the crease as England’s No.3
He’s not scored the runs he’d have wanted to in this series but the pitch is flat and today is the day to cash in.
Occasionally there’ll be a ball with his name on it, much like with Crawley, but he’ll want to spend as long as possible at the crease before that happens.
Wicket! Crawley ct Carey b Cummins 9 (37-1)
Oh my!
That’s a jaffer from Pat Cummins. Good length, angling in to Zak Crawley then nipping away and catching the thinnest of edges before going through to Alex Carey.
A corker of a delivery and Australia have their first wicket.
England 37-0
A nice push from Crawley sees him drive Crawley down the ground and he picks up three as Travis Head reins in the ball before it reaches the boundary.
Oh wow!
Starc drifts into the pads of Duckett and he gets over the ball and whips it wonderfully through midwicket for four runs!
That’s a nice shot, very confident.
Two more runs come from the final delivery and Starc has a been hit for 20 runs in four overs.
England 28-0
Ouch! Duckett and Crawley pick up a run a piece before the former is whacked in the body by the final ball of the over.
Cummins looks thoughtful as he collects his cap. I think the Australia captain knows this is going to be tough work to prize out the England wickets.
England 26-0
Scoring runs is obviously key for England but equally important is limiting the impact of Starc and Cummins.
Justin Langer spoke yesterday about England needing to bat long and only offer up two or three wickets in the entirety of today’s play.
It’s been a decent start from the openers but they need to keep it going.
They work Starc away for three singles before Starc pushes one across Crawley’s body and draws out the false shot.
He shakes it off though and flicks the last ball of the over away for two more runs.
England 21-0
Mullered!
Cummins goes full and finds a decent length but Duckett whacks him through cover on the up for another four runs.
Confident work from the left-handed opener.
England 16-0
Oh! is the cry from the Australian slip cordon after Duckett whips Cummins through square leg for four runs.
He was right in front of his stumps though and missing that one would have put him in trouble.
Duckett is the type of player who likes to feel bat on ball. As such he goes chasing the ball wide of the off stump and almost gets a nick as the ball shapes past his outside edge.
Australia are in the game here.
England 12-0
Starc continues and is finding some shape with the new ball.
Duckett drives on the up though and beats the in field on the offside to collect another four runs.
He then gets off strike and Crawley keeps Starc out for the rest of the over.
A watchful start for England.
England 7-0
Pat Cummins has the ball in hand for the second over. He angles the ball into Crawley who turns it into the legside for another single.
Duckett is finding things more difficult than Crawley it seems. Cummins angles the ball across him and finds the outside edge.
Duckett plays it well though and the ball bounces short of third slip.
Boom! In response, Duckett punches the next ball through the gap at cover and earns the first four of England’s innings.
England 1-0
The next hour is going to be tricky for England. Starc is bang on the money and getting the ball to move away from Duckett.
So much so it almost looks like a different pitch as Duckett plays and misses at three consecutive balls.
He survives though.
Angelina Jolie reveals mastectomy scars to raise cancer awareness
Angelina Jolie has revealed her double mastectomy scars for the first time more than a decade after her surgery.
The Oscar-winning actor, 50, posed for a photoshoot with Time France to raise breast cancer awareness and to honor survivors of the deadly disease. Jolie showed her bare chest on the magazine’s cover of its very first issue, revealing the mark from when she went under the knife in 2013.
“I share these scars with many women I love,” Jolie told the outlet in an interview published Monday. “I’m always moved when I see other women share theirs.” She continued, “I wanted to join them, knowing thatTIME France would be sharing information about breast health, prevention and knowledge about breast cancer.”
Praise poured in online for the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider actor following the magazine cover reveal, with one fan writing on X: “Angelina jolie is the perfect choice for a cover story, she embodies strength and compassion.”
Another added, “A fitting choice for a first cover, she’s one of those rare figures whose influence goes well beyond film.” A third chimed in: “Angelina looks absolutely ethereal here. Iconic! Nathaniel Goldberg captured her well.”
Jolie underwent the surgery to remove both of her breasts following the death of her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, from breast and ovarian cancer in 2007. The actor then tested positive for a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, which meant her chances of getting breast and ovarian cancers were significantly higher.
Two years after her double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery, the Maleficent star also removed her ovaries and fallopian tubes as a preventative measure.
Her decision went on to massively raise awareness for breast cancer in what was called the Angelina Jolie effect: an immediate uptick in screenings and more women seeking to understand their options for breast reconstruction.
“Every woman should always be able to determine her own healthcare journey and have the information she needs to make informed choices,” Jolie told Time France. She covered the magazine while promoting Alice Winocour’s film Coutures, out in February, where she plays a filmmaker who is diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Genetic testing and screening should be accessible and affordable for women with clear risk factors or a significant family history,” she added.
Jolie wrote about her decision to have the surgery in a piece for The New York Times at the time of her procedure. The mom-of-six explained she had initially been given an estimated 87 percent risk of breast cancer and 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer.
“My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under five percent. I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer,” she wrote.
“I went through what I imagine thousands of other women have felt. I told myself to stay calm, to be strong, and that I had no reason to think I wouldn’t live to see my children grow up and to meet my grandchildren.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among American women, with about one in eight women being diagnosed in their lifetime.
Pit-Smoked and Bourbon-Soaked: how to eat in Kentucky like a pro
What’s a drop of Bourbon or a foot tapping beat without the perfect dish to accompany them? There’s more to the Bluegrass State than whiskey and music alone. Though those things are important. Vital actually.
In Kentucky, the good times come served with a side of soul-enriching food, from fine dining, to time-honed traditions passed down through generations. A combination of Southern know-how, bountiful farmland and top-notch ingredients, plus modern culinary talent combine to make Kentucky a truly world-class culinary destination.
So get your fingers sticky with the sweet tang of BBQ, find the ultimate comfort food at a ma and pop shop on the roadside, or pull up a chair beneath a crisp linen tablecloth. It’s all here. Let us guide you to the top spots.
Louisville
Home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby, and with deep roots in the world of whiskey making, Louisville is a place where tradition is respected. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t reinterpreted, reinvented, and well, shaken up.
Kentucky’s largest metropolis, which straddles the slow running waters of the Ohio River, was built on whiskey. But as the new food hub of the South, it’s writing a new, distinctly delicious chapter.
‘New Southern Cuisine’, that’s the term coined for this new spirit of reverent playfulness where chefs across the city are putting new unique twists on traditional Southern fare from Hot Browns to Benedictine.
At 610 Magnolia, in the heart of Old Louisville, for chef and owner Edward Lee that means seasonal, multi-course menus that combine surprising global flavours into locally-inspired, often Bourbon laced dishes. Think seared scallops with kimchi or a sweet pea risotto with rock shrimp and magnolia.
Jack Fry’s is an institution. Behind its shutter board and mullioned window exterior, live jazz accompanies Southern flavours prepared with classic French techniques since 1933. Where once bootlegging occurred in a backroom, today spicy fried oysters, Bourbon braised short ribs, and peach cheesecakes laden the tables.
Don’t Miss:
Walk the distilleries and tasting rooms of Whiskey Row. This is mandatory. The imposing cast iron and red brick facades of Main Street once fronted the offices and warehouses for the burgeoning Bourbon barons. Today, they’re a playground for whiskey enthusiasts with exclusive bottlings, tastings and more to explore.
Follow Whiskey Row – and the Urban Bourbon Trail – across multiple blocks, and you’ll find NuLu (New Louisville). The East Market District of downtown draws an artsy crowd hang out to its neighbourhood murals, street art, galleries, and innovative eateries from Biscuit Belly to Royal Hot Chicken.
Lexington and the Bluegrass region
Combine fine dining with authentic Bluegrass charm in Lexington and beyond, where a visit to the world famous Keeneland Rack Track isn’t all about the horses. Yes, Lexington is a race horse capital, but sometimes the food is the main event.
Arrive purposefully hungry, and get amongst the smell of turf, saddle leather and smoked meats as jockeys, trainers and spectators alike head to the Track Kitchen. A morning staple and one of the city’s best-kept secrets, its home-style food feels like a hug. But careful, pace yourself.
Trackside concession stalls, only open during the races, beckon with their many culinary delights. From Keeneland’s signature Bourbon Bread Pudding to Kentucky Beer Cheese and the refreshing Keeneland Breeze cocktail, the food and drink here are as much a part of the experience as the races themselves. Classic Southern comfort meets local flair.
Don’t Miss:
Head out to the countryside, where the morning mist sits low on the pastures of Thoroughbred farms. Culinary star, Chef Ouita Michel may have just pioneered farm-to-table dining over the past 15-plus years. With all that high-quality produce in abundance surrounding Lexington, it just made sense to make the most of it.
Visit all eight of Ouita’s famous restaurants – or just a few – on a culinary tour. Honeywood at Fritz Farm is all about the locally-grown specialities, from sweet potato beignets to duck-fat basted New York strip. Meanwhile, Smithtown Seafood is a quintessential taste of the south with wild-caught fried catfish, fresh-shucked oysters and blackened catfish.
Owensboro
Breathe in the sweet smell of smoke and molasses. When you catch the scent of a true pit master at work, you follow it.
In Owensboro, Kentucky’s undisputed BBQ capital, a passion for flavour and a dedication to time-honed techniques, means you’re in for a treat.
In this city located on the south side of a deep bend in the Ohio River, BBQ is more than just a dish, it’s a tradition. With a history dating back to the 1830s, the area has developed its own unique style of pit BBQ, where vinegar-based sauces are mopped over the meat during a lengthy smoking process. Think tangy, tender, and melt-in-the-mouth.
Sure you’ll find chicken, beef, et al. But with sheep historically more plentiful, the main event here is mutton. Burgoo who? Look out for local dish Burgoo, a stew similar to Irish or Mulligan stew, most often served with a generous wedge of cornbread. Well, this is Kentucky.
Don’t get us wrong. BBQ is a year-round way of life with secrets passed down generations. Head to the Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, where smoked meat has been slung since the 1950s. Or Old Hickory BBQ, where the grills have been firing since 1918.
But once a year Owensboro becomes the global BBQ capital. At the International Bar-B-Q Festival, BBQ and Barrels, held every second weekend in May, 80,000 assemble for two days of BBQ heaven, while teams fiercely compete over secret recipes and sizzling coals.
Don’t Miss:
What goes better with a smoked slice, than the twang of strings? Owensboro is the Bluegrass world capital too. Stop by the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – the only international museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and culture of this soulful, uniquely American genre.
Zelensky urges European leaders to show united front against Putin at Brussels summit
Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukraine’s allies to show a united front against Russia at a crucial European Union summit on Moscow’s frozen assets.
The Ukrainian president urged European leaders to secure support for Kyiv and show Russia that continuing its war is “pointless” ahead of the summit in Brussels on Thursday.
“The outcome of these meetings, the outcome for Europe, must be such that Russia feels that its desire to continue fighting next year will be pointless, because Ukraine will have support,” Zelensky said in his evening address on Wednesday.
His call comes after Vladimir Putin lashed out at European leaders, amid ongoing US-brokered peace talks.
In a bizarre rant against the West, the Russian President said: “Europe’s little pigs immediately joined in the work of the previous American administration, hoping to profit from the collapse of our country.”
He added that Russia would “liberate its historical lands on the battlefield” or through diplomacy, but vowed it would achieve its territorial aims in the end.
Putin had previously accused Western countries of “hysteria”, adding that claims Russia wanted war with Europe were “a lie”.
Meanwhile, Zelensky ruled out a ceasefire by Christmas, saying Russia is likely to reject a new European-backed peace proposal and that Ukraine must be ready to continue fighting.
Watch: Ukraine blows up Russian submarine in unprecedented underwater drone attack
Zelensky tells Europe to use frozen assets to end Russia’s appetite for war
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukraine’s partners to take a decision on using the nearly $250 billion of frozen Russian sovereign assets in the European Union, most of it held in Belgium’s Euroclear, to support a loan for Ukraine.
In his evening address on Wednesday, he called on Ukraine’s allies to secure support for Kyiv and show Russia that continuing its war is “pointless,” ahead of a crucial European Union summit on Moscow’s frozen assets.
EU governments agreed last week to freeze the assets for as long as needed instead of voting every six months on extending this status. Some European leaders have opposed the plan as they fear it opens them up to legal risk.
“We need all our partners to have the courage to see the truth, acknowledge the truth and act accordingly,” Zelensky said. He added that Russia was showing with its actions it intended to continue fighting next year.
“Allies in the United States often say that Russia seems to want to end the war. But Russia is sending completely different rhetoric and signals, including official orders to its army.”
Paratrooper killed in Ukraine told family to ‘be proud’ of what he died doing
A British paratrooper killed serving in Ukraine said he “went out doing what I trained to do”.
The body of Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, was repatriated to RAF Brize Norton in west Oxfordshire on Wednesday after his death in what the Ministry of Defence called a “tragic accident” last week.
An extract from a letter written by L/Cpl Hooley to be opened in the event of his death said “don’t remember me with sadness and loss” because he died “doing what I believed in”.
A private, family-only ceremony was held at Brize Norton before L/Cpl Hooley’s body was carried past Carterton Repatriation Memorial Garden.
People paid their respects along the route, some in tears, and members of the armed forces and police also turned out to honour the soldier.
Mourners gathered at the garden, designed by the Oxfordshire community as a space for people to honour fallen military personnel.
Zelensky calls on allies to secure support for Kyiv and show Russia continuing war is ‘pointless’
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukraine’s allies to secure support for Kyiv and show Russia that continuing ts war is “pointless,” ahead of a crucial European Union summit on Moscow’s frozen assets.
“The outcome of these meetings, the outcome for Europe, must be such that Russia feels that its desire to continue fighting next year will be pointless, because Ukraine will have support,” Zelensky said in his evening address.
US and Russia to hold talks in Miami this weekend, according to reports
US and Russian officials are expected to hold talks in Miami, Florida, this weekend about a possible deal to end the war in Ukraine, Politico reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to be part of the US delegation, according to Politico, which also reported that Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, will be part of the Russian delegation.
Zelensky says new Trump peace plan will be ready in days
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has said revised US-brokered peace plans could be presented to Russia within days, following successful talks in Berlin.
The Ukrainian president left Germany confident that proposals negotiated with the US would soon be finalised after receiving crucial security guarantees from his European allies and Washington.
He said that American envoys were set to present the outcomes of this week’s talks to the Kremlin – but not before Russia could pour cold water on the plans.
Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov reiterated that Moscow would not give back land to end the war, and would not accept any Nato peacekeepers stationed in a post-war Ukraine.
‘Clock is ticking’: Starmer tells Roman Abramovich to transfer money from Chelsea sale to Ukraine fund
Sir Keir Starmer has warned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich that the “clock is ticking” for him to hand over the £2.5bn he received from the sale of Chelsea football club.
The prime minister told MPs on Wednesday that a licence has been issued, allowing the money to be transferred to the people of Ukraine suffering at the hands of the Russian invasion.
The announcement is the first major move in transferring European based Russian assets for the rebuilding of Ukraine. It follows a mini summit between Sir Keir and Belgian PM Bart de Wever last week to discuss Russian assets with most of them based in Belgium.
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Starmer threatens to seize £2.5bn from Roman Abramovich after Chelsea sale
Treasury denies US has readied Russian sanctions
The US treasury has denied it has come to any conclusions about future Russian sanctions after a report by Bloomberg News suggested decisions were being made in the event Moscow rejected a peace deal.
“It is explicitly false to conclude any decisions have been made regarding future sanctions against Russia,” a Treasury spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.
“As we have said for months, all options remain on the table in support of President Trump’s tireless efforts to stop the senseless killing, and to achieving a lasting, durable peace.”
Zelensky asks allies to show Russia ongoing war is ‘pointless’
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has called on allies to continue their support for Kyiv and show Russia that its continuing military action is “pointless”.
It comes ahead of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday.
“The outcome of these meetings – the outcome for Europe – must be such that Russia feels that its desire to continue fighting next year will be pointless, because Ukraine will have support,” he said in his evening address on Wednesday.
Putin claims speculation of war with the West is ‘hysteria’ – two weeks after threatening Europe
Vladimir Putin dismissed fears of conflict with Europe as “hysteria” stoked by Ukraine’s allies on Wednesday – just two weeks after issuing his own threats against the West.
“I have repeatedly stated: this is a lie, nonsense, pure nonsense about some imaginary Russian threat to European countries. But this is being done quite deliberately,” he said.
James C Reynolds reports:
Putin says talk of war with West is ‘hysteria’ – two weeks after threatening Europe
Trump to unveil 2026 agenda in address to nation as approval ratings hit new low
President Donald Trump is set to address the nation amid rising tensions with Venezuela, and as Americans are growing more frustrated with his handling of the economy.
Trump offered few details of the content of the speech but told reporters Wednesday that the message of the address is “we inherited a mess and we’ve done a great job.”
In the hours leading up to the scheduled address from the Oval Office, where Trump is also expected to announce his agenda for 2026, the president trolled his Democratic predecessors Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
White House staff updated the portraits along the so-called “Presidential Walk of Fame” by describing Biden as “the worst President in American History,” and Obama as “one of the most divisive political figures.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that some of the plaques “were written directly by the President himself.”
Leavitt also teased the contents of Trump’s Wednesday night address by telling reporters that the president plans to “talk a lot about the accomplishments over the past 11 months, all that he’s done to bring our country back to greatness, and all he continues to plan to do to continue delivering for the American people over the next three years.”
Trump is due to speak at 9 p.m. ET.
Watch: Trump doesn’t give away many details of his address
President Donald Trump didn’t give much away when quizzed by reporters earlier about what he might say later this evening.
How Venezuela sends oil around the world despite sanctions — and why Trump wants to put a stop to it
The White House has not shared the full details of President Donald Trump’s remarks, expected at 9 p.m. tonight.
Trump’s address follows his order Tuesday night of a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned oil tankers from Venezuela as part of an ongoing pressure campaign against President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
Venezuela has control over the largest known oil reserve in the world, producing around 1 million barrels a day.
Its oil reserves are found primarily in the Orinoco Belt, a region in the country’s east that covers around 55,000 sq km.
The country’s proven reserves are estimated at more than 303 billion barrels, which is the largest reserve worldwide — trumping Saudi Arabia’s 297.7 billion barrels.
Alex Croft has more.
How Venezuela sends oil around the world despite sanctions
Trump address comes as Americans are growing more angry with his handling of the economy
President Donald Trump’s address tonight comes on the heels of new polling that found Americans are expressing growing frustration with his management of the economy.
The latest NPR/PBS News/Marist survey found that 57 percent of respondents disapprove of Trump’s economic management, compared with 36 percent who approve — the lowest rating on this issue across his two terms in office.
Partisan differences remain sharp: 81 percent of Republicans say Trump is doing a good job, while 91 percent of Democrats disagree. Among independents, a clearer picture emerges: 68 percent disapprove, compared with just 24 percent who approve.
Brendan Rascius reports.
Americans are growing more angry with Trump’s handling of the economy, poll finds
Full story: Fani Willis blasts Republican-led ‘QAnon committee’ in heated hearing over collapsed Trump case
The Georgia prosecutor who led a sprawling criminal case against Donald Trump sparred with Republican state lawmakers investigating her decision to investigate the president and his allies for their efforts to overturn the state’s election results in 2020.
A furious Willis asked Republicans on a state Senate committee why they didn’t investigate “how many times my house has been swatted” and “how many times they’ve called me the n-word” after her office secured a grand jury indictment.
“I took an oath to do the right thing. People came into my community and committed a crime and I indicted them, and rest assured, if someone else comes in my community and commits a crime, I will indict them again,” she said.
Fani Willis blasts GOP-led ‘QAnon committee’ in heated hearing on Trump case
Survivor finale to be interrupted by Trump’s address
Bad news for fans of Survivor…the finale will be interrupted on CBS tonight while President Donald Trump delivers his address.
CBS announced that the 3-hour finale will begin at 8 p.m. ET and “will resume where it left off immediately following the president’s address for Eastern and Central Time Zone viewers.”
The show is in its 49th season.
The network is hosting an hour-long special report on Trump’s address with anchor Norah O’Donnell at 9 p.m. ET
NEW: FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announces plans to step down early next year
Hours ahead of President Donald Trump’s address, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced that he is set to depart his role next month, concluding a brief tenure as the bureau’s second-highest official.
“I want to thank President Trump, AG Bondi, and Director Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose. Most importantly, I want to thank you, my fellow Americans, for the privilege to serve you,” Bongino said on X.
Bongino’s tenure with the department has been in question since July, when he reportedly clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the administration’s failure to release the Jeffrey Epstein files over the summer.
Read more below…
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announces plans to step down early next year
What will Trump say in his primetime address?
Trump is expected to deliver remarks from the Oval Office at 9 p.m. ET but has not offered few details about what they will be about.
In a brief message on Truth Social Tuesday, he said “it has been a great year for our country, and THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
He told reporters Wednesday that the message of the address is “we inherited a mess and we’ve done a great job.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president plans to “talk a lot about the accomplishments over the past 11 months, all that he’s done to bring our country back to greatness, and all he continues to plan to do to continue delivering for the American people over the next three years.”
She told Fox News that he may be “teasing some policy that will be coming in the new year.”
But his rare evening address is coming in the middle of growing tensions with Venezuela, nosediving polls and a grim economic outlook as he concludes his first year back in office with a largely unpopular agenda.
He also is delivering the remarks within a formal White House setting while he prepares to return to rally-like events where he can speak at length about anything ahead of 2026 midterm elections with the balance of power in Congress — and the fate of his legislative agenda for his last years in office — at stake.
Read The Independent’s interview with the photographer who shot the images in Vanity Fair
Striking photos in Vanity Fair depicted every freckle, line, strand of hair and makeup smudge on Trump’s inner circle at the White House.
For many, seeing every imperfection on the faces of the typically polished political figures was jaw-dropping.
We talked to the photographer who shot them.
Vanity Fair portraits of White House leaders hoped to cut through ‘political theater’
Ex-cop sues after arrest over anti-Trump meme
Larry Bushart spent 37 days in jail on a $2 million bond after posting a meme on Facebook in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing that quoted Donald Trump’s response to a different shooting.
The quote? “We have to get over it.”
“I spent over three decades in law enforcement, and have the utmost respect for the law,” Bushart said Wednesday. “But I also know my rights, and I was arrested for nothing more than refusing to be bullied into censorship.”
Bushart and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Tennessee authorities alleging violations of his constitutional rights in retaliation for his protected speech.
“If police can come to your door in the middle of the night and put you behind bars based on nothing more than an entirely false and contrived interpretation of a Facebook post, no one’s First Amendment rights are safe,” FIRE senior attorney Adam Steinbaugh said.
Has Karoline Leavitt taken a page out of George Orwell’s 1984?
I’m a historian who has written about the enduring legacy of George Orwell’s ideas about truth and freedom.
Listening to Leavitt assert a “truth” so obviously discordant with people’s lives, I was reminded of the repeated pronouncements from the Ministry of Plenty in Orwell’s 1984.