The actress discusses the impact of the encounter with a homeless woman in Los Angeles on her family

Mila Kunis has opened up about a deeply unsettling experience where she and her family witnessed a woman, who was homeless, overdose on drugs while in Los Angeles. The 39-year-old actress recalled the incident during a recent appearance on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, where she described how it prompted an important discussion about drugs with her two young children.

Kunis, who was with her husband Ashton Kutcher and their children Wyatt, 8, and Dimitri, 5, explained how the family decided to go out for ice cream after a period of isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic. As they enjoyed their treat outdoors, a woman experiencing homelessness, visibly struggling with mental health issues, approached the family. She sat next to them and tragically overdosed in front of them.

The family’s outing quickly turned into a teachable moment as the children began asking questions, wondering if the woman was “okay” and whether an “ambulance” was coming. Kunis shared how the experience led her and Kutcher to have a “logical conversation” with their children about drugs and their effects. Kutcher, she said, went into detail about the topic, something Kunis admitted may have been too much for their young children at the time.

“At one point, we ended up having to have a very logical conversation with them about what drugs are, what they do to you,” Kunis explained. “My husband got super detailed, and I was like, ‘Babe, they’re six and four. I’m not sure this is the right approach.’”

The actress also revealed that their children now have a firm understanding of the risks of drug use. “If you talk to them now, they’re like, ‘No, it messes up your brain. And I don’t want,’” she said.

The incident also highlighted the growing homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, where reports have shown an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness. A recent count revealed that over 69,000 people were homeless in LA County, a rise of 4.1% from the previous year. The figures further highlighted the staggering scale of the issue, with one in five homeless people in the United States living in LA County.

Kunis reflected on how this traumatic event served as an unexpected entry point for educating her children about drugs, noting that before the incident, they were unaware of anything beyond simple medicines like antibiotics.

Home Secretary promises tougher measures to address illegal migration and cross-Channel boat journeys

Suella Braverman has vowed to implement new measures aimed at curbing the abuse of immigration rules as she prepares to address the Conservative Party conference. The Home Secretary, in her speech, will outline plans to introduce legislation that would make it easier to deport individuals who enter the UK illegally and renew calls for stronger French intervention to halt the increasing number of boats crossing the English Channel.

While challenging the government’s controversial Rwanda deportation policy is ongoing in the courts, Braverman will commit to exploring further powers to ensure the UK’s stance on illegal immigration is not obstructed by modern slavery laws, the Human Rights Act, or the European Court of Human Rights.

In her speech, Braverman will stress the importance of welcoming those in genuine need, drawing on her own family’s experience of immigration in the 1960s. She will state, “It’s right that we extend the hand of friendship to those in genuine need. This country has always done so.” However, she will also emphasise the need to balance compassion with controlling immigration that serves the UK’s economic interests. “We need to end abuse of the rules and cut down on those numbers that aren’t meeting the needs of our economy,” she will say.

The Home Secretary will also announce plans to intensify efforts to combat dangerous cross-Channel migration. This includes working with the French to increase interceptions, providing additional British support to tackle criminal gangs, and enforcing the Nationality and Borders Act to prosecute illegal arrivals to the UK.

A loose trolley strikes a traveller on the head as it moves down the aisle

A passenger aboard American Airlines flight 2566 was injured when a food trolley became dislodged and struck them on the head mid-flight. The incident took place on September 28, as the flight was en route from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Rhode Island.

According to reports, the trolley, which had been secured in the galley, became loose and was propelled down the aisle, hitting the victim. The 21-year-old Airbus A321 aircraft, previously operated by US Airways, was carrying passengers at the time of the incident. While the passenger sustained a head injury, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that the injury is considered “minor.”

The FAA further confirmed that the flight landed safely at T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, at 10:30 pm, where the injured passenger received medical attention. However, the FAA has not disclosed the identity of the person involved.

A representative from American Airlines commented, “During landing at Providence (PVD) on September 28, a galley cart on American Airlines flight 2566 inadvertently came loose. Two customers were transported to a local hospital for further evaluation, and our team has been in contact with those affected to apologise.”

Food trolleys are typically secured with brakes, galley latches, and sometimes behind locked doors to prevent such incidents. The airline has assured passengers that safety remains a top priority, and they are reviewing the situation to prevent a recurrence.

Firefighters save a child and a man, but the woman tragically passes away in hospital

A woman has tragically passed away following a house fire in Eltham, despite the efforts of firefighters who rescued her from the burning building. The incident occurred on Thursday at around 4:30am in Alderwood Road, where a man and a child had already managed to escape the terraced house before emergency services arrived.

Firefighters from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) entered the house, which was engulfed in flames, and used breathing apparatus to save the woman, who had become trapped on the staircase. They successfully dragged her out of the house, but she was later pronounced dead in hospital.

The fire severely damaged half of the ground floor and most of the first floor, with the roof completely destroyed. A total of six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Eltham, Sidcup, Lee Green, Bexley, and Plumstead fire stations responded to the emergency.

An LFB spokesperson stated, “A man and a child left the building before the Brigade arrived. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued a woman via an internal staircase. They were all taken to hospital, where the woman sadly later died.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by both the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service. By 6am, the fire had been brought under control.

Singer takes part in the emotional Foo Fighters tribute but suffers a vocal cord hemorrhage

Kesha experienced a vocal cord hemorrhage following her performance at the emotional tribute concert for the late Taylor Hawkins, the drummer of Foo Fighters. The 35-year-old singer was among the many artists who gathered to honour Hawkins, who tragically passed away in March at the age of 50 due to a cardiovascular collapse.

Sharing a video of the moment on social media, Kesha reflected on the event, writing, “Soooo, I’m posting all the pics from the f**g moment bc [sic] this was quite a moment.” In the video, Kesha can be seen performing in a sparkling silver cape and skirt. During the performance, her cape unexpectedly opened, leading her to joke about the wardrobe malfunction, “I have to make light out of this situation because Taylor would have loved that my t just fell out.”

Kesha continued to speak emotionally about Hawkins, saying, “I feel really special to be here with all of you guys, because Taylor meant something different to each and every one of us. To some, he was a f*****g hero… icon. He was a friend, he was a father, he was a husband. And for tonight, I just want to say, ‘Taylor, you’re going to live with us forever and ever.'”

Kesha was part of an all-star line-up of nearly 50 performers, including Miley Cyrus, Pink, Dave Grohl, Travis Barker, Dave Chappelle, Mötley Crüe, and Chevy Metal, all coming together to honour Hawkins’ legacy. Hawkins is survived by his wife Alison and their three children: Oliver, 16, Annabelle, 13, and Everleigh, 8.

Princess Anne Shares Final Moments with Her Mother Before Passing

Queen Elizabeth II’s cause of death has been confirmed as old age, according to her official death certificate, released by the National Records of Scotland. The document details that the Queen passed away at 3.10 pm on 8 September at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, after an extraordinary 70-year reign.

The news of her passing marked the beginning of a national mourning period, culminating in the Queen’s state funeral on 19 September. The ceremony, held at Westminster Abbey, brought together more than 2,000 dignitaries, including world leaders and heads of state, for a moving tribute to the longest-reigning monarch in British history. The event, broadcast globally, attracted a peak UK audience of 28 million viewers.

During the mourning period, Princess Anne, the Queen’s only daughter, shared that she was fortunate to be with her mother in her final 24 hours. As the “informant” listed on the death certificate, Princess Anne would have notified the registrar of her mother’s passing. Her presence at her mother’s side as the end approached was deeply poignant for the royal family and the public alike. King Charles III, visibly affected, followed the coffin throughout the procession, accompanied by his siblings and other close family members.

While the world watched the Queen’s funeral, paying their respects in person and through media coverage, the royal family also honoured their late matriarch in private moments. The Queen’s burial took place at Windsor Castle, where a new black marble ledger stone was installed at the King George VI Memorial Chapel. This stone commemorates the Queen’s life alongside her father, King George VI, her mother, Elizabeth, and her husband, Prince Philip, who passed away the previous year.

The Queen’s death certificate also notes that no other factors contributed to her passing, confirming that old age was the sole cause. The document was registered in Aberdeenshire on 16 September, with the medical practitioner listed as Douglas James Allan Glass.

The Queen’s death was a significant moment in both British and global history, as she had ascended to the throne at just 25 years old following the death of her father. A period of mourning followed her death, with flags lowered at British government buildings and the royal family taking time to grieve.

In a reflection of the profound impact of her life, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in his sermon at Westminster Abbey, recalled the Queen’s lifelong promise to serve her country and the Commonwealth, stating, “Rarely has such a promise been so well kept.” Her legacy, characterised by duty, joy, and dedication, remains deeply ingrained in the hearts of the British people and beyond.

Following the funeral, the monarchy faces a new chapter. King Charles III has reportedly expressed a desire to hold a more modest coronation ceremony, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by ordinary citizens, particularly in light of the current cost of living crisis.

Nationwide blackout persists as hurricane damage strains Cuba’s fragile power grid

After Hurricane Ian tore through Cuba last week, Ivette Garrido was relieved to secure 6 kilograms (13 pounds) of subsidised chicken for her family, planning to store it in the freezer for the coming days. However, the long-lasting power outage caused by the storm has left her grappling with a thawing freezer and soaring temperatures. Now, she faces the grim possibility of feeding the chicken to her three dogs before it spoils.

The power failure, which has affected millions, continues to linger as the government has not provided an official estimate of how many remain without electricity. On Thursday, authorities reported that only 10% of Havana’s population had regained power, while Garrido, who lives in the town of Cojimar near the capital, struggles to manage the situation. “We are not having a very good time, trying to survive, to keep things from thawing,” she said, adding that she lives with her mother and 19-year-old daughter.

Garrido’s family is not alone in their suffering. Hurricane Ian initially knocked out power in a few provinces on Tuesday, but the situation quickly escalated as the storm’s winds caused a nationwide collapse of the power grid, leaving the entire country of 11 million people without electricity for the first time in living memory. In addition to the power outage, the storm also resulted in the deaths of three people and caused damage that has yet to be fully assessed.

While power was restored sporadically in some areas, the outages persisted and even worsened in others. Experts warned that the power grid’s vulnerability was exposed by the storm, and repairs will require significant time and resources, both of which are in short supply. Cuban authorities have pledged to work around the clock to restore electricity, but residents in Havana and beyond continue to struggle with the consequences.

The lack of electricity has left people without access to water, as the pumps that bring water to households rely on electrical power. Many households that previously relied on electric stoves are now unable to cook, further complicating daily life. “We’ve never been without electricity for so long,” Garrido lamented, adding that the outage, initially predicted to last 24 to 36 hours, has stretched beyond 48 hours. “It’s criminal. Who is responsible for this?”

Across Cuba, similar scenes are unfolding. Interviews with residents in cities such as Holguín, Guantánamo, and Santiago revealed widespread electricity shortages, with most reporting no power in their neighbourhoods. The outage occurred due to failures in the connections between the three main regions of the island, exacerbated by the hurricane’s winds.

Cuba’s ageing power infrastructure, weakened by years of underfunding and U.S. sanctions, was already in a fragile state before the storm. The country’s power grid consists of 13 plants, many of which are outdated thermoelectric facilities, and small plants introduced after an energy reform in 2006. The maintenance of these plants has been further hampered by fuel shortages and financial constraints.

Jorge Piñon, an expert on Latin American energy at the University of Texas, likened the grid’s failure to a domino effect, where a fault in one part of the system quickly led to a nationwide collapse. “The patient is now on life support,” Piñon remarked, referring to the power grid’s dire condition.

Cuba’s ongoing economic crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and U.S. sanctions, has left the government with limited resources to address the growing energy deficit. Piñon warned that recovery from this disaster will be a lengthy process that will also have to contend with the power generation issues that existed prior to the hurricane. “This will come at a high economic cost that the country cannot afford,” he concluded.

For the people of Cuba, the struggle continues, as they face an uncertain recovery from both the hurricane’s destruction and the power grid’s collapse.

Cheynne Prevatt risks her safety to check on a stranger’s elderly mother stranded by Hurricane Ian

As Hurricane Ian ravaged southwest Florida, Christine Bomlitz faced a growing nightmare. Her 84-year-old mother, Shirley Affolter, had gone silent amidst the chaos of the storm. By Thursday morning, as the storm had passed, Bomlitz was still unable to get in touch with her mother, who had lost her cell phone and was now stranded without a way to communicate.

From Las Vegas, where she was stuck, Bomlitz desperately posted appeals for help on social media, pleading with anyone in Florida to check on her mother. Shirley, who relies on a walker for mobility, was stuck in her Englewood home, isolated by the flooding. The evacuation vehicle that should have rescued her had missed her, leaving her stranded.

In the midst of this crisis, a Good Samaritan emerged. Cheynne Prevatt, 26, whose own home had been damaged by the storm, ventured into chest-high floodwaters to search for the elderly woman. Despite suffering damage to her own house, Prevatt’s priority was to find Shirley.

After wading through the devastating floods, Prevatt reached Shirley’s home, bringing much-needed relief. Though the two women were strangers, Shirley was overjoyed to see someone. The brief call between Shirley and Bomlitz offered a moment of comfort, though their conversation was interrupted due to malfunctioning hearing aids.

Prevatt took a photo of Shirley, safe and smiling, and sent it to Bomlitz, reassuring her that her mother was alive. “I’m thankful for this stranger,” Bomlitz shared. “People are amazing.”

Despite the severe damage to her own property, Prevatt’s focus remained on helping Shirley. Her own home had been severely affected, with a palm tree crashing into the roof, causing significant damage. Nevertheless, she prioritised the safety of the elderly woman.

“We’re going back for her,” Prevatt said. “That was the main goal, to make sure she was still alive.” Later that evening, a paddleboard was brought to help Shirley reach dry land and safety.

Bomlitz’s emotional journey ended in relief, thanks to the selfless efforts of a complete stranger who braved the flooding for the sake of her mother.

Michelle Reynolds’ mysterious disappearance leads to surveillance footage showing her wandering in Louisiana

New footage has emerged showing Michelle Reynolds, a missing teacher from Alvin, Texas, walking aimlessly in New Orleans, raising concerns about her mental state. The 48-year-old mother-of-three was last seen on 22 September when she told her husband, Michael Reynolds, she was heading out for food. When she failed to return, Michael reported her missing the same day.

Reynolds’ car was discovered in New Orleans, located approximately 350 miles from her home, with her purse, phone, and credit cards left inside. The discovery deepened fears that something sinister had occurred. However, new surveillance footage has revealed her walking in a confused state the day after her disappearance. This video was obtained from a business near where her car was located.

The non-profit group Texas EquuSearch, which is aiding in the search efforts, has been conducting aerial searches along the Mississippi River in hopes of locating the missing woman. Tim Miller, a member of the organisation, explained that they have seen success using helicopters in similar searches.

At first, there were concerns about foul play, with speculation that Reynolds may have been carjacked or taken. However, the newly obtained video reveals that she had parked her vehicle at around 12:01 pm on Saint Peters Street near the river, and then appeared to wander off. Miller expressed hope that Reynolds might simply be disoriented and lost, and that someone would spot her soon.

The video, shared by Mr Reynolds, confirms that no harm was likely done between the time of her parking and when she was seen walking away. “We’re hoping she’s just confused and wandering, and that we can safely bring her back home,” Miller said.

Michelle Reynolds is described as a 5ft 10in woman with blonde hair and brown eyes. She weighs around 175 lbs. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office or Texas EquuSearch.

International Monetary Fund Urges Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng to Reassess Tax Plan Amid Economic Uncertainty

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a strong critique of the UK government’s tax policy, warning that it could exacerbate inequality. The IMF’s statement follows Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s controversial mini-budget, which included tax cuts and higher borrowing. These measures caused market instability, with sterling dropping to a historic low against the dollar, prompting global scrutiny.

The IMF stated that it is closely monitoring developments and urged the Chancellor to reconsider the tax proposals, particularly the controversial decision to scrap the 45p income tax rate for individuals earning over £150,000. The IMF expressed concern that the policy, as it stands, would likely increase social inequality.

In the face of mounting criticism, the Bank of England has indicated it may need to raise interest rates in an effort to stabilise the pound and curb inflation. Despite this, Kwarteng remains optimistic about the long-term benefits of his tax-cutting approach, maintaining that it will stimulate economic growth and reduce the national debt.

The IMF, however, was less assured. While acknowledging the government’s aim to support households and businesses through the energy crisis and promote growth, the IMF warned that large, untargeted fiscal packages at this stage could undermine monetary policy efforts, especially when inflation is already high. “The nature of the UK’s tax measures will likely increase inequality,” the IMF remarked.

The Fund advised Kwarteng to reassess the direction of his economic strategy, particularly ahead of his November budget statement, where he is expected to unveil additional measures aimed at stabilising public finances. “The November budget will provide an opportunity to reconsider how support can be more targeted, particularly towards those on lower incomes,” the IMF suggested.

In defence, a Treasury spokesperson argued that the government’s swift actions were necessary to shield families and businesses from the economic impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has driven up energy prices. They reiterated the government’s focus on boosting economic growth and improving living standards for all, with further details to be provided in the November budget, including plans for reducing debt relative to GDP.

Meanwhile, the Bank of England’s chief economist, Huw Pill, signalled that recent economic turbulence could force the central bank to implement a more aggressive monetary policy response. Speaking at the Barclays-CEPR International Monetary Policy Forum, Pill stressed that the stability of the UK’s economic framework must be ensured, suggesting that interest rate hikes could be necessary to maintain confidence in the economy.

In summary, the IMF’s criticism adds to the growing pressure on the UK government to reassess its fiscal policies, particularly the tax cuts for higher earners, in light of potential long-term economic risks.