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Austin Reaves continued his dream week, adding to a 51-point performance and a 41-point game with a floater at the buzzer that rescued the Lakers.
State and territory ministers say they will reconsider their attendance to the meeting next Friday if they get at least 10 minutes each
NATO member Poland scrambled fighter jets to defend its airspace overnight in response to long-range Russian strikes on Ukraine. Poland’s military said in a statement early on Thursday that it had scrambled fighter jets and an early warning aircraft, while also putting its ground-based air defenses and radar systems on “the highest state” of alert. “The Operational Commander of the Armed Forces has activated all available forces and means at his disposal. Duty fighter pairs and an early warning aircraft have been scrambled, and ground-based air defense systems as well as radar reconnaissance systems have reached a state of maximum readiness,” it said. It comes as Ukrainian authorities imposed restrictions on electricity use following a “massive missile and drone attack” on the country’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine’s state-owned electricity transmission system operator, Ukrenergo, said early Thursday that emergency power outages were in place in “most” Ukrainian regions. Rescuers search for survivors after a Russian missile hit a hostel in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Thursday. This is a breaking story. Updates to follow.
Summit on sidelines of Apec was the first between the leaders of US and China since 2019, and comes after tensions have been strained by Trump’s trade war
The non-employment injury scheme is designed to provide protection to workers beyond office hours with amendments to the Employees Social Security Act 1969. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has urged the government to clarify the scope of coverage under the non-employment injury scheme tabled in Parliament today to prevent confusion among workers. In a statement, MEF president Syed Hussain Syed Husman said strong governance and transparency in the scheme’s management were key in preventing overlapping claims among employers and employees. "With proper collaboration and clarity, the scheme can be a game changer in extending protection to all workers, ensuring that Malaysia continues to be a competitive, fair, and socially responsible economy,” he said. He also called for the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) to work closely with employers, industry associations and unions to raise awareness and provide clear implementation guidelines for the new scheme. Syed Hussain added that the scheme must be financially sustainable and cost effective, particularly for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). “It is essential that any additional contribution under the new scheme be actuarially justified. The design must balance worker protection with business sustainability,” he said. Separately, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) president Soh Thian Lai applauded the extension of coverage to foreign workers, saying it upheld Malaysia's commitment to fair labour practices and equal protection. “This inclusive approach ensures a level playing field and strengthens Malaysia’s reputation as a country that values decent and responsible employment across all sectors,” he said in a statement. “Contribution rates must remain equitable and realistic to ensure broad participation and to guarantee the scheme’s long-term viability," he added. Meanwhile, Malaysian Trades Union Congress president Abdul Halim Mansor in a statement urged the government to set an official enforcement date and to ensure the registration of the scheme was simple so that no worker would be left behind. "Bureaucratic hurdles must be minimised and the claims process must be transparent and focussed on workers’ welfare,” he said. The scheme is designed to provide protection to workers beyond office hours with amendments to the Employees Social Security Act 1969 to provide 24-hour social security protection for employees under Perkeso.
Amerika Syarikat akan beri pertimbangan khusus pada sektor semikonduktor dalam rundingan tarif bawah Seksyen 232 Akta Perluasan Perdagangan AS. (Gambar Pixabay) KUALA LUMPUR: Sektor semikonduktor negara akan diberikan pertimbangan khusus oleh Amerika Syarikat (AS) dalam rundingan tarif bawah Seksyen 232 Akta Perluasan Perdagangan AS, kata Timbalan Menteri Pelaburan, Perdagangan dan Industri Liew Chin Tong. Beliau berkata tarif berkaitan semikonduktor merupakan tarif sektoral yang tidak termasuk di bawah Perjanjian Perdagangan Timbal Balas (ART) yang dimeterai Malaysia-AS baru-baru ini. "Dalam perjanjian ART tidak termasuk isu tarif sektoral... semikonduktor termasuk dalam seksyen 232 yang akan dipertimbangkan oleh setiausaha perdagangan AS. "Apa yang telah dirundingkan adalah dengan Wakil Perdagangan AS (USTR)," katanya pada sesi soal jawab di Dewan Rakyat, menjawab soalan tambahan Ahmad Amzad Mohamed @ Hashim (PN-Kuala Terengganu) berhubung impak perjanjian perdagangan itu ke atas sektor semikonduktor. Menjawab soalan berasingan Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PN-Pasir Puteh) berhubung isu halal susulan Perjanjian ART Malaysia-AS, Liew berkata proses kelulusan pengimportan produk halal dari AS kekal seperti sedia ada di bawah perjanjian itu. Katanya, ia perlu mematuhi keperluan standard halal Malaysia dan Akta Perihal Dagangan (Perintah Perihal Dagangan Perakuan dan Penandaan Halal) bagi tujuan perdagangan dalam Malaysia. "Peraturan tersebut menetapkan hanya produk halal yang mendapat pengesahan halal dari badan pensijilan halal AS yang diiktiraf oleh Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim) dan memenuhi keperluan halal Malaysia sahaja akan diperakukan dan dibenarkan bagi tujuan eksport ke Malaysia," katanya.
New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Billionbrains Garage Ventures, the parent company of stock broking firm Groww, on Thursday fixed a price band of Rs 95-100 per share for its upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO), targeting a valuation of over Rs 61,700 crore (about USD 7 billion). The company’s Rs 6,632 crore IPO would open for public subscription on November 4 and conclude on November 7, the stock broking firm announced. The bidding for anchor investors would open for a day on November 3. The IPO comprises fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 1,060 crore along with an Offer For Sale (OFS) component of 574,190,754 equity shares by promoters and investor shareholders. As a part of the OFS, the company’s promoters — Lalit Keshre, Harsh Jain, Neeraj Singh, and Ishan Bansal — each offering up to 1 million shares, besides, investors such as Peak XV Partners Investments VI-1, YC Holdings II, Ribbit Capital V, GW-E Ribbit Opportunity V, Internet Fund VI Pte Ltd, and Kauffman Fellows Fund, LP are offloading shares. Groww’s founders own 27.97 per cent of the company and have filed as promoters of the company with a 20 per cent lock-in for 1.5 years from the time of listing. In the IPO, they are offering to sell only 0.07 per cent of the total shares of the company. The company, which is backed by marquee investors like Peak XV, Tiger Capital, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, plans to use proceeds of the IPO for investment in technology development and business expansion. Groww cofounder and COO Harsh Jain said the company will continue to focus on brand building, launching new products, and investing in technology to attract more customers and strengthen its position in the market. “Technology will always remain our core focus. We are agile and among the most cost-effective players in the industry,” Jain told PTI. He added that there is still tremendous scope for growth as more people begin to participate in the capital markets. “Right now, we are not looking beyond wealth. It’s a massive market in itself,” he noted. Despite the impact of the Sebi’s tightening of F&O norms on the broader industry, Groww reported a profit of Rs 1,824 crore in FY25, a threefold increase from the previous year. This strong performance, Jain said, was driven by a diversified product portfolio and a strong customer-centric approach. “We continue to grow organically as customers now have access to a wide range of investment products on our platform,” he said. Over 80 per cent of the company’s new customers are acquired organically, and its three-year retention rate is 77 per cent. On the mutual funds side, Groww accounted for Rs 34,000 crore of SIP inflows in FY25, or 11.8 per cent of industry totals, according to AMFI data. Reflecting on Groww’s journey, Jain recalled that the team was passionate about empowering investors and saw how the internet was disrupting traditional investing models. “The power of the internet is that it allows you to reach every nook and corner of the country,” he added. Of the fresh issuance, Rs 225 crore will be used for brand building and performance marketing activities, Rs 205 crore to be invested in Groww Creditserv Technology Private Limited (GCS), the NBFC arm, to augment its capital base. Additionally, Rs 167.5 crore will be infused into Groww Invest Tech Private Limited (GIT) for funding its margin trading facility (MTF) business, while Rs 152.5 crore has been earmarked towards strengthening cloud infrastructure. The balance will be utilised for funding inorganic growth through acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Groww filed draft papers in May with markets regulator Sebi for an IPO through a confidential pre-filing route and had received Sebi’s approval in August. Groww opted for the confidential pre-filing route, which allows it to withhold public disclosure of IPO details under the DRHP until later stages. This route is gaining traction among Indian firms aiming for flexibility in their IPO plans. Founded in 2016, Groww emerged as India’s largest stock broker with over 12.6 million active clients and an over 26 per cent market share as of June 2025. The company has recently expanded into wealth management, commodities, Margin Trading Facility (MTF), and loans against shares, moves it sees as part of its longer-term growth strategy. According to the company, 75 per cent of the issue size has been reserved for qualified institutional buyers, 15 per cent for non-institutional investors and the remaining 10 per cent for retail investors. Groww will make its stock market debut on November 12. PTI SP DR DR
Paris, Oct 30 (AP) Three Bulgarian men are on trial in Paris this week for alleged involvement in spray-painting blood-red hands on the city’s Holocaust Memorial, an act of vandalism that French intelligence services link to a campaign by Russia to destabilise France and other Western societies. Some 500 red hands were painted last year on a wall honouring those who helped rescue Jews during World War II and around nearby Paris neighbourhoods. The graffiti was initially viewed in the context of the war in Gaza, which has led to a rise in antisemitic incidents and tensions around Europe. But French intelligence services say the red hands were part of a long-term strategy by Russia to use paid proxies to divide public opinion, stoke social tensions and spread false information, according to court documents. Governments across Europe have accused Russia in recent years of a campaign of sabotage that has included paying people to commit acts of vandalism, arson and bombing attempts. Four Bulgarians are charged in the Holocaust Memorial case, but only three are in custody and were present for Wednesday’s trial. The alleged ringleader, Mircho Angelov, is at large. The first to testify, Georgi Filipov, said he painted the red hands in exchange for 1,000 euros to help pay child support for his 9-year-old son. He said he was paid by Angelov and did not address accusations of Russian involvement. “I acknowledge having participated in these acts. I formally apologise to the victims, and I apologise for the damage. I also apologise to the French authorities,” he told the court through translators. Filipov said he was a former neo-Nazi and that he might have been recruited because his social media feeds showed him with neo-Nazi tattoos and a t-shirt praising Hitler. He described the tattoos as a “bad choice from my past” and claimed he only understood the antisemitic nature of the act upon his return to Bulgaria. Kiril Milushev testified that he filmed the graffiti at Angelov’s instruction in exchange for 500 euros. “I regret having participated in this act,” he told the court. Investigators say Milushev was also suspected of defacing a gravestone in Munich, and of involvement in pasting stickers near hotels in the Swiss city of Zurich ahead of a Ukraine peace conference last year. The third defendant, Nikolay Ivanov, was questioned about his role in four incidents of alleged Russian interference. He denied any pro-Russian connections or sentiments, and any responsibility for the red-hands graffiti. Ivanov is accused of buying plane tickets for the other defendants from the Bulgarian capital Sofia to Brussels, and then Brussels-Paris bus tickets, and paying for their hotel in Paris. He said he bought the tickets and hotel stays at Angelov’s request, and had only “rendered a service to a friend.” The suspects face charges including criminal conspiracy or aggravated degradation of property based on race, ethnicity or religion. They could face several years in prison if convicted. Plaintiffs include the Paris Holocaust Memorial and the League against Racism and Antisemitism. The red hand graffiti was among several strange incidents over the past two years in France, and the first to come to trial. Among others: In October 2023, soon after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, stencils of blue Stars of David appeared on Paris buildings. French authorities accused Russian security services of stirring up controversy around the stars. Two Moldovans were detained and deported in the case. In June 2024, five coffins appeared at the foot of the Eiffel Tower with references to Ukraine ahead of a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Filipov, the defendant in the red hands case, said he was initially recruited to transport the coffins but testified that he backed out when he was told to put them beneath the famous Paris landmark. Three other men, born in Bulgaria, Germany and Ukraine, are suspected in the case, and a warrant has been issued for their arrest. Unusual spray-painted images and messages with references to Ukraine appeared on the streets of Paris a few days later, as Zelenskyy met with then-US President Joe Biden in the French capital. Three Moldovans are in custody pending further investigation. And last month, severed pigs’ heads were found near nine Paris-area mosques, five of which had Macron’s name written on them. An investigation is underway. (AP) SKS SKS
An evil nursery school teacher raped her partner's 4-year-old daughter and then sat on her in the bath until she drowned. Monster Amber Lee Hughes raped and killed her partner's daughter Nada-Jane Chalita on January 23, 2023. The court heard how Nada-Jane's dad Elie, left his daughter with Hughes to attend a job interview. After Elie left, Hughes was furious that he had not kissed her goodbye and believed he had been unfaithful. In a chilling message sent before the brutal rape and murder , Hughes said: "You broke my heart; I’m going to burn yours. How could you do that to me?" Hughes then put Nada-Jane in the bathtub and sat on her until she drowned. A post-mortem also found Nada-Jane had been raped twice before her death. South Africa's Johannesburg High Court heard Hughes said: "I admit that I suffered from borderline personality disorder at the time of the incident but was aware of what I was doing on that day. The event was triggered by the argument I had with the deceased’s father concerning his infidelity, and the final trigger was when he told me that I should stop bombarding him. "I admit that after the deceased became unresponsive, I left her in the bathtub with the cold water tap still running." Following the murder, Hughes attempted to end her life on three occasions. During the October 27 sentencing, Hughes claimed her traumatic child hood and mental health had impacted her behaviour. The Sun reported social worker Carina Wolmarans had testified Hughes had been bullied and had tried to end her life multiple times. Wolmarans argued Hughes had deep regret over the murder, and told the court: "She said she wishes she could take it back." But judge Richard Mkabela said Hughes actions were "clearly premeditated." He said Hughes' texts before the murder showed her intent, adding: "The inference is irresistible that [Hughes] made threat of burning Mr Challita’s heart and made good on that threat." Hughes entered into a relationship with Elie in 2021 and moved in with him and Nada-Jane. The court heard the relationship was turbulent with Hughes repeatedly threatening to harm Nada-Jane. Hughes was found guilty in August of premeditated murder and vaginal rape, charges that carry minimum terms of life imprisonment. When asked about the trial, Elie said no sentence would be enough. He added: "Obviously, I’m the parent of the child. The justice that I seek doesn’t exist in this world or in this lifetime."
Latest arrests made in Paris region but no indication of whether crown jewels worth £76m have been recovered
NEW DELHI: South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt smashed an epic 169 to lead her side into the final of the Women’s World Cup hammering England by 125 runs in the first semi-final on Wednesday. Put into bat, South Africa racked up 319-7 riding Wolvaardt’s sensational 143-ball knock, which was studded with 20 fours and four sixes in the eastern Indian city of Guwahati. When they returned to defend, seamer Marizanne Kapp (5-20) wrecked England, who were bundled out for 194 in 42.3 overs. England had history on their side having beaten South Africa in a group match at this year’s tournament and knocked them out in the 2017 and 2022 semi-finals of the 50-overs showpiece. Wolvaardt showed scant regard for past records though, as she first combined in an opening stand of 116 with Tazmin Brits (45) and raised 72 with Kapp (42) to lay the foundation of their massive total. England had sweated over Sophie Ecclestone’s (4-44) fitness following a shoulder injury to their star spinner, who proved why she is so highly rated as she dismissed Brits and Anneke Bosch in the same over to drag her team back into the contest. Once Ecclestone had finished her quota of 10 overs, however, Wolvaardt stepped on the gas. Chloe Tryon chipped in with a breezy cameo of 33 not out down the order as South Africa plundered 117 runs from the last 10 overs. Wolvaardt’s batting masterclass came to an end in the 48th over when she holed out off Lauren Bell and departed to handshakes from her awestruck opponents after a statement innings that put South Africa in the box seat. They had a similarly impressive start with the ball as well when they returned to defend their total. Kapp began with a two-wicket maiden over, dismissing Amy Jones and Heather Knight, and Ayabonga Khaka removed Tammy Beaumont with her first legitimate delivery to leave England reeling at one for three in seven deliveries. England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) and Alice Capsey (50) forged a century stand before Kapp sent back Sciver-Brunt and went on to dismiss Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean in successive deliveries to effectively seal their place in Sunday’s final. Defending champions Australia take on hosts India in the second semi-final in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
The move will be the biggest shake up in the banking sector since Ulster Bank and KBC Bank quit the market here, if PTSB can find a strategic buyer. “PTSB has a compelling strategic position within the highly attractive Irish banking market, having undergone a significant transformation in recent years, demonstrating strong business and financial performance and continued growth in its balance sheet and customer base,” the bank said on Monday. There has been speculation that Spanish lender Bankinter, which owns the Avant Money brand here and has been expanding it Irish business, could be a buyer. But management at Spain’s fifth largest bank insisted earlier this month that their plan is to continue to grow organically in Ireland dismissing speculation PTSB would make an attractive target for the business. In a statement outlining its sale plans, PTSB said it has seen a significant increase in appetite for its shares from international investors, along with what it called “unprecedented demand” for its recent Green Tier 2 issuance. "Consequently, the Board of PTSB, with the support of its largest shareholder, the Minister for Finance of Ireland, Paschal Donohoe, has concluded that it is now in the best interests of the bank and its key stakeholders to commence a FSP with the intention of identifying a new long-term owner of the bank.” Goldman Sachs has been appointed as financial adviser to run the process. PTSB is the last of the bailed out banks still in majority state hands. The Government owns a 57.5pc stake and will therefore be the main beneficiary of sale proceeds. Paschal Donohoe said increased investor interest in European banks presents the State with the opportunity to exit its last remaining shareholding in an Irish bank after 17 years. “The State’s investment in PTSB was made during the financial crisis to safeguard the stability of the banking system and protect depositors. A sale of the State’s investment would be consistent with the objective of recovering taxpayer funds that were used to rescue the Irish banks and deploying these to more productive purposes,” he said. PTSB has separately also published its Q3 2025 trading statement. Relative to last year, PTSB’s deposit book has grown 7%, the mortgage book is up 4%, and the business banking book is up 11%.
Rachel Reeves has apologised for an "inadvertant error" after falling foul of local housing rules when she rented out her family home. In a letter to Keir Starmer , the Chancellor said she was unaware of licensing requirements in Dulwich Wood, south London. In a response released by No10, the PM said he had spoken to his independent ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, who advised that a further investigation is not necessary. Ms Reeves admitted she did not obtain the required "selective" rental licence for the property when she moved into No11 Downing Street last year. This is a requirement put in place in the ward by Southwark Council. She "sincerely" apologised for the mistake, which was revealed by the Daily Mail. Ms Reeves told the PM that "regrettably" she and her family were not aware a licence was needed. Failing to get one can lead to a prosecution or a fine. The Chancellor is understood to have relied on the advice of a letting agent, which said it would advise if a licence was needed. She wrote: "This was an inadvertent mistake. As soon as it was brought to my attention, we took immediate action and have applied for the licence." And her letter continued: "I sincerely apologise for this error and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have." In his reply, the Prime Minister said he had consulted his independent adviser, adding: "He has advised me that in relation to your inadvertent failure to secure the appropriate licence for your rental property - and in light of your prompt action to rectify the position, including your apology - further investigation is not necessary. "The Ministerial Code makes clear that in certain circumstances, an apology is a sufficient resolution." And he continued: "I am satisfied that this matter can be drawn to a close following your apology." Mr Starmer said it was "regrettable that the appropriate licence was not sought sooner" but said he believed the Chancellor was "treating this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves". His decision to back the Chancellor comes less than a month before the Budget , when she is expected to make difficult decisions. On Wednesday Mr Starmer refused to rule out an income tax hike on November 26. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch had earlier called on the Prime Minister to "launch a full investigation" into Ms Reeves' error. She added: "He once said 'lawmakers can't be lawbreakers'. "If, as it appears, the Chancellor has broken the law, then he will have to show he has the backbone to act." Daisy Cooper, Lib Dem deputy leader, said: "The Chancellor is meant to be delivering growth but the only thing she appears to be growing is the Government's list of scandals. "Just weeks before the Budget, this risks seriously undermining confidence in this Government and its ability to focus on the urgent tasks at hand." Dear Keir, I wanted to make you aware of a matter which has been brought to my attention regarding my family home which we are letting out to tenants via an external lettings agency. The property is situated in Dulwich Wood ward of Southwark Council. There are selective licensing requirements in this ward for renting out a property. Regrettably, we were not aware that a licence was necessary, and so we did not obtain the licence before letting the property out. This was an inadvertent mistake. As soon as it was brought to my attention, we took immediate action and have applied for the licence. The property is declared on the Members' Register of Interests in line with requirements. I have today spoken to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and I have made the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards aware. I sincerely apologise for this error and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Dear Rachel Thank you for your letter and for meeting with me this evening. The public rightly expects the highest standards of conduct from the politicians who serve them. The Ministerial Code sets out these values and I have made it a core tenet of this Government’s mission to uphold them. I have this evening consulted with my Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. He has advised me that in relation to your inadvertent failure to secure the appropriate licence for your rental property - and in light of your prompt action to rectify the position, including your apology - further investigation is not necessary. The Ministerial Code makes clear that in certain circumstances, an apology is a sufficient resolution. It is important that all Ministers are able to acknowledge where they consider themselves to have fallen below the standards expected of them. I am satisfied that this matter can be drawn to a close following your apology. It is regrettable that the appropriate licence was not sought sooner and it is right that you have taken the appropriate steps today to address this. It is clear to me that you are treating this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.
Gyeongju: Against the backdrop of a destructive trade war that has shaken economies and rattled the global order, US President Donald Trump and his foremost rival, Chinese President Xi Jinping, projected an image of mutual respect as they met in person for the first time in six years. A lot was riding on the meeting, even if many of the outcomes on tariff relief and export controls had been pre-packaged for the leaders to sign off by their lead negotiators days earlier. Tensions between the superpowers had dialled up in recent weeks as they jostled for leverage, and so it was no coincidence that Trump walked into the meeting having announced moments earlier that the US would resume testing nuclear weapons. But after about an hour and 40 minutes of talks, Trump and Xi emerged together from South Korea’s Gimhae military air base in the tourist town of Busan, which served as the backdrop for the consequential sit-down on the sidelines of the APEC summit. They shook hands, then Trump immediately boarded a waiting Air Force One to fly back to Washington, DC.
A promising 17-year-old Australian cricketer died on Thursday after being struck by a ball, with his family saying they were “utterly devastated”. Ben Austin was in the nets with a helmet on before a Twenty20 game in Melbourne on Tuesday when he was hit in the neck while facing a ball-throwing device. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition. “We are utterly devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben, who died earlier on Thursday morning,” his father Jace Austin said in a statement. “This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers — going down to the nets with mates to play cricket. “We would also like to support his teammate who was bowling in the nets. This accident has impacted two young men and our thoughts are with he and his family as well.” Austin was an emerging bowler and batter, considered by his Ferntree Gully Cricket Club as a “star cricketer, great leader and an awesome young man”. Deaths in cricket are rare. The most recent high-profile one in Australia came in 2014 when Test star Phillip Hughes was killed when hit in the neck by a rising ball during a domestic Sheffield Shield game. His death stunned Australia and the world cricket community, sparking an outpouring of grief and ushering in stronger protocols around concussion and better safety equipment. Cricket Victoria chief Nick Cummins told broadcaster ABC there were similarities between the two tragedies. “The ball hit him (Austin) in the neck in a similar accident that Phil Hughes suffered 10 years ago,” Cummins said. Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said his heart “was broken” and lessons needed to be learned. “Clearly there are things we have to learn from this,” Baird told reporters. “But right now we are concerned about the family and trying to support them in every way. “
The mother of a 24-year-old man who has undergone 10 operations says it remains uncertain "how much of his life" he will recover as he battles memory loss and vision difficulties. Rachel Wilson-Glover, 56, said her son, Flynn Brooks, began experiencing ill health in July this year and after suffering a headache for a fortnight, accompanied by blurred vision, she encouraged him to get medical attention. Following a referral for a CT scan, Flynn, who studied games programming at university and was employed in data entry, was discovered to have a mass in his brain which was subsequently diagnosed as a non-cancerous tumour – and he was booked in for an operation to remove it in August. Rachel, a team manager of a day service for adults with learning disabilities and autism from Bedhampton, Hampshire, said numerous complications arose after the procedure, including a fluid accumulation on her son's brain, discomfort, confusion and sickness – and Flynn "crashed" twice and required placement on life support. Flynn, who had been living in his own flat in Southsea, Portsmouth, underwent a further nine procedures to insert drains and shunts in his head with the goal of addressing the complications, and he is now struggling with memory loss and vision problems as he gradually starts to recover. "He's still my Flynn, he's still my boy, he's still got a sense of humour – he's just got to adapt to a different way of life now," Rachel said. "We don't know if his eyesight is going to come back properly, we don't know if his memory is going to return. We don't know how much of his life he is going to get back or what he'll need in the future – those are the scary things and that's all unknown at the moment. Flynn didn't drink, he didn't smoke, he's polite. He's a gorgeous young man who has faced the hardest part of his life with such bravery and I'm so proud of him." Rachel explained that Flynn began feeling unwell in July this year, initially believing it was just a virus. After enduring a persistent headache for a fortnight, Rachel encouraged him to seek medical attention and he attended A&E, where doctors suspected it was a migraine . However, when Flynn's symptoms persisted - and his vision began to blur - Rachel insisted he visit his GP. Flynn was then referred for a CT scan on July 24 at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, where doctors discovered a mass in his brain. "I was at work, sitting in a meeting, when Flynn phoned me to say they had found something on his CT scan – I was in utter shock," Rachel said, explaining she immediately rushed to the hospital to be with her son. She said the pair were then transferred by ambulance to University Hospital Southampton. After undergoing further tests and an MRI scan, it was revealed on July 26 that Flynn had a non-cancerous brain tumour. Despite being scheduled for surgery to remove the tumour, the procedure was expedited due to his "endless pain". "He was suffering so much – he came to live with me because he was so unwell at that point," said Rachel. Rachel and Flynn were asked to return to the hospital on August 4 – Flynn's 24th birthday – and he underwent a craniotomy to remove the tumour on August 5. "It was very, very, scary, but he took it all in his stride, he was so brave," Rachel recalled. Following the operation, Flynn began to experience several complications indicative of hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluid in the brain, as well as pain, confusion and vomiting. To address the issue, Flynn underwent a further nine surgical procedures, according to Rachel. These included eight operations to install and replace the drains in Flynn's head after they became blocked, and one to fit two internal brain shunts – a thin tube which allows excess fluid to flow to another part of the body, usually the stomach. "Things just kept going wrong," Rachel admitted. Flynn suffered from a brain infection, which added to the complications. He also "crashed" twice, ending up in intensive care on life support after his condition rapidly deteriorated – first on August 22 and again on September 16. "They were the most horrendous moments of my life, every day I prayed I would get him back," Rachel said. "He survived and pulled through both crashes, which was incredible." She continued: "Ultimately, Flynn is still here because of the hospital, but I initially felt as though people weren't listening when I kept saying 'he's not right' and he seemed to be getting worse. No one expected all of these complications, though, and it's very unusual, he's a very unusual case." Rachel revealed that she eventually contacted University Hospital Southampton via its Call for Concern service, in accordance with Martha's Rule, to express her worries about her son's unstable condition. Martha's Rule is an NHS patient safety initiative aimed at early detection of deterioration, where patients, families and carers are actively encouraged to inform staff if they fear a health condition is worsening. They might spot minor changes that could serve as early warning signs of deterioration before they become apparent in routine measurements. If, after discussing with the care team, they remain concerned and feel their worries are not being addressed, they can ring a dedicated number for a swift review from a different team, according to the NHS. "It's there for a reason," Rachel said. "Flynn remained brave throughout, he never complained and he went with everything they said. I was his advocate because he's such a mild-mannered, polite young man, and I'm a very strong woman." Rachel revealed Flynn was now battling short-term memory loss and vision difficulties. "He gets confused, but he still knows a lot of things, his long-term memories are there, he knows who people are and he can identify things," Rachel explained. "For his short-term memory, he'll do something and he can't remember what's just happened." Rachel said Flynn was "up and walking", though she believes his eyesight problems are making him "unsteady on his feet". "His last surgery was on October 1, so it's still quite early and his body is still recovering," she added. Flynn is currently recuperating at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, awaiting referral for a rehabilitation programme designed to enhance his cognitive and physical abilities. Rachel has set up a GoFundMe page to provide Flynn with "a really good fresh start when it comes", which has already raised more than £6,500. A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton said: "We are always sorry to hear that a patient or their family feel dissatisfied with any element of care they have received in our hospital. We want our patients and their relatives to feel heard and actively encourage people to raise concerns so that we can address any issues. "We have a dedicated Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Pals) to help resolve matters. However, where complaints are made by, or on behalf of, an inpatient we always recommend that conversations are had directly with the medical teams involved in the first instance, to help resolve matters swiftly. "Our trust was among the first to implement Call for Concern, incorporating Martha's Rule – a system that enables patients and their families or carers who are worried about a patient's condition deteriorating, to seek an urgent review from a different clinical team. While we never comment on individual cases in order to protect patient confidentiality, the trust is committed to working with any patient, their family or carer who has worries and concerns they feel remain unresolved."
MELBOURNE: Australian cricket was rocked on Thursday by the death of a teenage player hit by a ball during training at his Melbourne club. Ben Austin, 17, was struck high in the neck by a ball delivered by a teammate while batting in the nets at Ferntree Gully Cricket Club on Tuesday, governing body Cricket Victoria (CV) said. He was rushed to hospital and put on life support but died on Wednesday, his club said. “The ball hit him in the neck in a similar accident that Phil Hughes suffered 10 years ago,” CV head of cricket Nick Cummins told Australian media. Australian former test opener Hughes died in 2014 at the age of 25 two days after being hit in the neck by a short ball during a domestic match in Sydney. Austin had been wearing a helmet but not a neck protector, Cummins confirmed. Neck protectors, often known as stem guards, are clip-on attachments to helmets which provide additional protection to a player’s neck and upper spine. They have been mandatory in elite cricket in Australia since late-2023. The ball that hit Austin was delivered by a hand-held throwing device known locally as a wanger. Wangers are regularly used in cricket training settings to simulate bowling and reduce the physical strain on coaches and bowlers. Austin’s family issued a statement saying they were “utterly devastated”. “This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers – going down to the nets with mates to play cricket,” the statement said. “We would also like to support his teammate who was bowling in the nets – this accident has impacted two young men and our thoughts are with he and his family as well.”
The Kuching magistrates' court allowed both boys to post bail at RM2,000 each. (File pic) PETALING JAYA: Two 13-year-old boys have pleaded guilty to separate charges of harming and bullying their female classmate. The boys will be sentenced in December, The Borneo Post reported. At a Kuching magistrates' court today, the first boy pleaded guilty to a charge of voluntarily causing hurt to the victim by throwing a correction tape at her chin in a classroom at their school in Padawan at around 2.40pm on Oct 21. At a different magistrates' court, the second teenager pleaded guilty to criminally intimidating the victim by threatening to rape her and stab her 300 times at the same time and place. According to the facts of the case, he is said to have made references to the fatal stabbing of a Form 3 girl in Petaling Jaya, Selangor which occurred earlier this month. This caused the victim to be afraid to go to school. Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan fixed Dec 2 for sentencing for the first case, while magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan fixed Dec 18 for sentencing for the second teen. Their sentencing is pending probation reports from the social welfare department since they are child offenders. The courts allowed both boys to post bail at RM2,000 each. Deputy public prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng prosecuted both cases while the boys were not represented by a lawyer.
MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia (CA) announced a net deficit of A$11.3 million ($7.34 million) for the 2024-25 financial year on Thursday, with a steep increase in costs offsetting a jump in revenue from hosting the Border-Gavaskar series against powerhouse India. CA said at its annual general meeting (AGM) total revenue increased by A$49.2 million from the previous year to A$453.7 million, predominantly driven by a new domestic media deal and match revenue from the five-test series against India. Expenses increased by A$24.1 million, which included marketing costs for the India series and funding 70 extra days of touring for national teams. However, distributions to CA’s member states and territories barely moved, rising by A$800,000 from the previous year to A$120.9 million. Member state Cricket Victoria (CV) condemned CA for the annual loss, saying the governing body had delivered little financial improvement despite significant and costly reviews. “For another year, CA is presenting a financial loss with a balance sheet showing member funds in deficit,” CV Chairman Ross Hepburn said at the AGM. “It is especially disappointing that since FY2019, Cricket Australia’s accounts have shown significant cumulative loss, excluding COVID-related impacts and World Cup revenue.” Australia captain Cummins returns to bowling in buildup to Ashes CA CEO Todd Greenberg said the outlook for 2025-26 was positive, with Australia to host England in the five-test Ashes series starting in Perth on November 21. He said CA was forecasting a sharp lift in commercial and sponsorship revenue from A$69 million to A$86 million in the coming year. “The Ashes and India white-ball content in FY26 is expected to deliver significant profit to CA and this will enable CA to rebuild its net assets and cash reserves for the next cycle,” CA CFO Sarah Pragnell said. CA is exploring allowing private investment in teams in the Big Bash League, the nation’s domestic T20 tournament, to unlock value and boost its competitiveness against international rivals like the Indian Premier League. Securing the backing of member states will be among CA’s biggest challenges. “We believe that all other options need to be diligently canvassed before resorting to selling off member assets,” said CV’s Hepburn.