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Bay Area retiree loses $500K to a romance scam tied to crypto hype
5 days ago•Source: ABC7 San Francisco
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Hidden toll: domestic abuse suicides may dwarf official counts in England and Wales
Experts say suicides linked to domestic abuse in England and Wales are vastly undercounted, with Kent research suggesting as many as 1,500 such deaths annually—far higher than the 2024 NPCC figure of 98 suspected cases. Campaigners blame narrow official criteria and gaps in multi-agency investigations, urging all suspected cases be treated as potential homicides to preserve evidence and improve protection for victims. While a few prosecutions have occurred, many cases see no charges, prompting calls for a national taskforce and systemic reform to ensure accountability and prevent deaths in the first place.
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Chicago teen dies after cancer battle as father's ICE detention nears resolution
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Only a minority of American Jews identify as Zionists, despite broad Israel support
A Burson survey for the Jewish Federations of North America finds only 37% of American Jews identify as Zionist, even as 88% say Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish, democratic state and about 70% feel emotionally attached to Israel. The study shows divergent, ill-defined views of Zionism across ages, with younger Jews less likely to call themselves Zionists and notable intra-Jewish divisions about Israel’s policies, underscoring a push for dialogue rather than simple labeling or confrontation.
England's refugee homelessness hits four-year high, BBC investigation shows
BBC data show the number of refugee households in England that are homeless or at risk rose from 3,560 in 2021/22 to 19,310 in 2024/25 — a five-fold increase likely linked to the 28-day move-on rule from asylum accommodation and delays in asylum decisions. Charities warn the true scale may be higher than official counts, with London and the North West most affected; dramatic rises are seen in areas like Hillingdon. Critics urge long-term policy reforms and more temporary housing to relieve stretched local services while the government says it is working toward quicker decisions and better-supported housing for refugees.
Shirley Raines, TikTok philanthropist behind Beauty 2 The Streetz, dies at 58
Shirley Raines, known as 'Ms. Shirley' to her 5+ million TikTok followers, used Beauty 2 The Streetz to bring meals, haircuts, hygiene supplies and dignity to people experiencing homelessness on Skid Row and other California and Nevada communities; she died at 58, with her organization saying more details would be shared as they become available.
Prominent Chess Grandmaster Naroditsky Dies at 29 from Accidental Overdose
29-year-old Bay Area-born chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky died on Oct 19, 2025 in Charlotte, NC, from an accidental overdose, with toxicology showing meth and psychoactive kratom ingredients in his system, according to a North Carolina medical examiner.
Trailblazing autism advocate who built UK's first autism school and residential community
London solicitor Michael Baron co-founded the National Autistic Society in 1962 and led campaigns that expanded understanding and services for autism, including creating the UK’s first autism-specific school in 1965 and the first autism residential community in 1974. He helped push the Education (Handicapped Children) Act 1970, earned an MBE in 1980, and dedicated his life to improving opportunities for autistic people and their families. He died aged 96 in 2025.
Guarding Elder Finances: Practical Steps to Prevent Family Mistakes
Americans over 70 control about $53 trillion in wealth and are prime targets for financial scams; the article urges empathetic, proactive engagement with aging relatives, due diligence, and outside help—such as AARP's BankSafe Initiative—to prevent financial missteps, while noting that family dynamics can both aid and impede timely interventions.
Alleged Affair Triggers Alienation of Affection Suit Against Ex-Senator Sinema in NC
A Moore County, NC woman, Heather Ammel, sues former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema for alienation of affection, alleging Sinema had a romantic relationship with Ammel's husband, who served on Sinema's security detail, contributing to the couple's separation on Nov. 1, 2024 and her divorce filing on Jan. 7, 2025; the suit seeks more than $25,000 in compensatory and punitive damages. Sinema left the Senate in 2025 and now works for Hogan Lovells.
Claudette Colvin: Quiet Catalyst of the Civil Rights Movement Dies at 86
Claudette Colvin, who at age 15 refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus and later became a plaintiff in a suit that helped desegregate public transportation, has died at 86 in Texas. Her bold act preceded Rosa Parks and helped spark the Montgomery Bus Boycott, though her contribution is often overlooked by history.
Claudette Colvin, Early Civil Rights Pioneer Who Preceded Rosa Parks, Dies at 86
Claudette Colvin, who at age 15 refused to give up her Montgomery bus seat nine months before Rosa Parks and helped spark the desegregation of U.S. buses, has died at 86. Her 1955 arrest remained largely unknown for decades, and she later became a nurse in New York; the following year the Supreme Court ruled to end bus segregation, and her legacy is honored by the Claudette Colvin Legacy Foundation in Texas.
Patrolling the Frontline: Minneapolis activists disrupt ICE raids through community vigilance
Immigrant-rights activists in Minneapolis and nearby suburbs have formed decentralized rapid-response patrols to monitor and disrupt ICE operations by tailing agents, recording encounters, and warning neighbors. The practice has produced tense confrontations, arrests, and intimidation claims as ICE deployments rise, including incidents linked to the shooting of Renee Good.