An American university professor created a flutter on social media by wishing Queen Elizabeth II would die an intensely painful death. Her comment drew immediate condemnation from Amazon boss Jeff Bezos.
Uju Anya, an associate professor of second language acquisition at the Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Mellon University, wrote on Twitter, “I heard the chief monarch of a thieving raping genocidal empire is finally dying.” She continued: “May her pain be excruciating.”
Bezos responded to it by tweeting: “This is someone supposedly working to make the world better? I don’t think so. Wow.”
Anya, who has more than 111000 followers on Twitter, replied to the world’s second richest man: “May everyone you and your merciless greed have harmed in this world remember you as fondly as I remember my colonizers.”
The longest reigning British monarch died at her summer residence in Scotland on Thursday, plunging the United Kingdom and the rest of the world into grief and mourning.
Media reports said the Nigerian-born associate professor’s initial tweet came less than an hour before the Queen’s passing was officially announced. But Twitter took down the post for violating its policy of disallowing any comment “wishing or hoping that someone experiences physical harm.”
However, Anya came up with a separate tweet expressing “disdain” for the Queen.
“If anyone expects me to express anything but disdain for the monarch who supervised a government that sponsored the genocide that massacred and displaced half my family and the consequences of which those alive today are still trying to overcome, you can keep wishing upon a star,” the associate professor who teaches linguistics, wrote.
Nigeria became independent from the UK in 1960 and Anya left the African country for the US at the age of 10. She studied at Dartmouth College, Brown University and the University of California.
Jeff, who had visited London’s Buckingham Palace in July, has condoled the Queen’s death.
“I can think of no one who better personified duty. My deepest condolences to all the Brits mourning her passing today,” the owner of The Washington Post tweeted.
Residents sit in a rescue boat as they evacuate following monsoon rains and rising water levels in the Chenab River, in Basti Khan Bela, on the outskirts of Jalalpur Pirwala, Punjab province, Pakistan, September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Quratulain Asim
OVER two million people have been forced to leave their homes as devastating floods continue to sweep across Pakistan's eastern regions, authorities announced.
The worst-hit area is Punjab province, where more than two million residents have been evacuated. An additional 150,000 people have fled Sindh province, according to national disaster management chief Inam Haider Malik, who warned that the "number may rise over the coming days".
The flooding has claimed at least 946 lives across Pakistan since late June, with monsoon rains and swollen rivers wreaking havoc throughout the country. Punjab province alone has recorded 97 deaths.
The emergency response has faced tragic setbacks. On Thursday (11), nine people died when a rescue boat capsized near the historic city of Multan whilst carrying flood victims to safety. The boat had successfully rescued 24 people from flooded villages before it overturned, though the remaining 15 passengers were pulled from the water alive.
This follows another boat accident earlier this week, when five people died in a similar incident on the outskirts of Jalalpur Pirwala city.
Rescue teams are going door-to-door to relocate villagers and their livestock using small boats, but these vessels must navigate dangerous strong currents. Officials say the rescue work is "tough because people are not cooperating", as many residents refuse to leave without their animals - often their main source of income.
The floods have submerged over 4,500 villages in Punjab province alone, affecting more than 4.4 million people since late August. Punjab, home to half of Pakistan's 240 million population, is considered the country's breadbasket, making the agricultural damage particularly severe.
Many families initially chose to stay at home to protect their property despite the flood risks. However, with large areas of farmland and houses destroyed, the human cost continues to mount in a country where 40 per cent of residents live below the poverty line.
The international community has begun responding to the crisis. This week, the United Nations allocated $5 million to support Pakistan's flood response, whilst the US State Department approved funding and deployed disaster response personnel.
Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority has delivered tonnes of relief supplies, including blankets, tents and water filtration devices to flood-affected areas in Punjab.
Facing the scale of the disaster, Pakistani authorities declared a climate emergency this week. Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered officials to develop a 300-day plan to address the challenges posed by climate change.
Pakistan's geography makes it extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts, with the country facing both extreme heat and torrential rains. Melting glaciers have also created new lakes at risk of dangerous outbursts.
Malik said it would take weeks for floodwaters to recede before "rehabilitation work" could begin on thousands of damaged villages and fields.
The current floods echo Pakistan's 2022 disaster, when months of heavy rain killed more than 1,700 people and affected over 30 million in one of the deadliest flood events in history.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Winds could reach 70–80mph in the most exposed coastal areas
Met Office issues yellow warning from 8pm Sunday to 6pm Monday
Winds could reach 70–80mph in the most exposed coastal areas
Travel disruption and risk of falling debris expected
Residents urged to secure outdoor items ahead of stormy conditions
Strong winds expected across southern and western UK
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning ahead of the weekend, with winds of up to 80mph forecast to affect large parts of the UK. The alert will be in place from 8pm on Sunday until 6pm on Monday.
The warning covers much of west and southwest England and Wales, along with the entire southern coast of England. It also extends up the west coast towards Manchester. Gusts of 60mph are likely inland, rising to 70–80mph in exposed coastal areas and hilltops.
Monday morning peak
Forecasters expect the strongest winds on Monday morning, gradually moving east during the day. The Met Office has warned of delays to transport and the potential for injuries or danger to life from falling debris.
Residents in affected areas are advised to prepare by securing garden furniture, sheds, bins and other loose items.
Weather outlook before the storm
Before the weekend, Thursday will bring wind and rain to northwest Scotland, with a mix of sunshine and blustery showers elsewhere. Some showers may be heavy, with hail and thunder possible in western regions.
Friday is expected to remain breezy, with overnight showers along western coasts. Saturday could bring heavier downpours and isolated thunderstorms, alongside stronger winds and coastal gales.
Cooler but drier in the east
Eastern parts of the UK are likely to see brighter and drier spells, though temperatures will stay on the cooler side. London can expect highs of around 17–18°C across both Saturday and Sunday.
Forecasters monitoring Atlantic low pressure
Paul Gundersen, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “We have been monitoring a deepening area of low pressure over the North Atlantic that might bring impactful weather to the UK, most likely on Sunday and Monday. At present, a named storm is unlikely.”
Keep ReadingShow less
Suhas Subramanyam speaks during the House Oversight And Government Reform Committee meeting at the US Capitol on March 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
INDIAN AMERICAN Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has strongly condemned recent attacks on Hindu temples across the US, saying that every American should be able to practise their faith without fear.
Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives, Subramanyam said: “Hate has no place in our communities, and that’s why I condemn the recent hateful attacks on Hindu temples and mandirs all across the country.”
The Democratic lawmaker highlighted several recent incidents, including the desecration of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Greenwood, Indiana, and gunfire directed at the ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah.
“These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a rise in violence and division in our country,” he said. “It’s not just temples that are being attacked. All places of worship are at risk.”
Subramanyam, who represents Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, urged more resources to strengthen security at religious sites.
“We must be committed to doing more to combat the rise in hate that we’re experiencing in the United States and ensure that our communities are protected. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do that,” he added.
The ISKCON temple in Utah reported that 20 to 30 bullets were fired at the building while devotees were inside, causing heavy damage to its carved arches. Similar acts of vandalism have taken place at BAPS temples in New York, Los Angeles and Sacramento. Last month, the Bay Area Shiv Durga Temple in Santa Clara, California, was also attacked.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi earlier condemned the break-in at the Santa Clara temple “in the strongest terms possible” and called for those responsible to face justice. He said such crimes were part of a troubling rise in attacks on Hindu temples. “In America, everyone should be able to pray in peace and safety,” he said.
In a separate incident, the Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple in Dublin, California, was burgled last week, with thieves taking jewellery and cash worth about $34,000. It was the second burglary at the site this year. Police said they are still investigating and that there is no evidence so far to suggest religious prejudice as a motive.
Subramanyam, a lawyer by profession, previously served as a White House technology policy adviser to President Barack Obama before entering politics.
Charlie Kirk, 31, shot dead at Utah Valley University during a student event; shooter still at large.
FBI falsely announced an arrest, later retracting the claim, raising questions about investigation handling.
Retired Canadian Michael Mallinson wrongly accused online as the shooter; misinformation spread rapidly on social media.
Security at the event was minimal, with no bag checks.
The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a student event at Utah Valley University has left the nation shaken and investigators scrambling. The 31-year-old was fatally shot in the neck while answering questions under a campus tent, in what officials are calling a sniper-style attack. The shooter remains at large, and the aftermath has exposed investigative missteps, rampant misinformation, and a dangerous level of political vitriol that threatens to push an already polarised America closer to the edge.
Charlie Kirk shot dead at Utah Valley University Getty Images
Manhunt or mismanagement?
While Kirk’s body was still en route to the morgue, the FBI announced an arrest. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that a “subject” was in custody, then later wrote that the individual had been released after interrogation, statements that conflicted with those of other local officials and added to early confusion about whether a suspect was actually detained.
Within hours, the Bureau retracted the statement. No shooter was in custody. Instead, one man, George Zinn, had been detained and charged only with obstruction before being released; officials say he was not tied to the shooting. The actual assassin remained at large, likely dressed in dark clothing, armed with a rifle, and vanished from a rooftop roughly 137–183 metres from the stage. Authorities later said they recovered a bolt-action rifle believed to have been used.
This embarrassment for the agency came on the same day three former senior FBI officials filed a federal lawsuit alleging politically motivated firings and accusing leadership, including Director Kash Patel, of politicising bureau personnel decisions.
— (@)
Digital witch hunt
While investigators combed through footage and witness statements, the internet took matters into its own hands.
Michael Mallinson, a 77-year-old Canadian retiree, became the face of the assassination online after a fake Fox News account posted his photo alongside the caption: “This is the shooter.”
The post went viral. Thousands shared it. Hate poured in. Even automated tools and chatbots (including xAI’s Grok) echoed the false identification proving how AI and social platforms can amplify misinformation in real time.
Mallinson was nowhere near Utah. He had not left Toronto. On YouTube, creators used footage of Kirk’s killing as clickbait. On Telegram and fringe platforms, users celebrated his death.
Graphic footage circulated widely, reposted by some YouTube and TikTok channels and amplified on fringe and encrypted platforms, where pockets of users celebrated the killing. The assassination was not just a news event, it became content.
— (@)
Security failures laid bare
Kirk was a controversial figure. He knew it. His team knew it. Yet security at the event was shockingly lax. Students and attendees say no bag checks were conducted. While Kirk had private security alongside six university officers, the setup was more suited to crowd control than to the threat of a long-range attack. The shooter used that exposure to their advantage
The killing has reverberated far beyond Utah. Donald Trump called Kirk “legendary,” while Turning Point affiliates in the UK and Australia declared him a martyr. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blamed “the international hate campaign of the liberal left,” while Italy’s Giorgia Meloni called it “a deep wound for democracy.”
This swift politicisation has in fact deepened divides, with experts warning that framing the death in martyrdom terms risks fuelling further violence.
— (@)
The human toll
Behind the politics, violence and digital noise remains the wreckage of a young family. His wife Erika now faces raising two children who were close enough to hear the shot that killed their father. Public figures offered condolences and leaders across the political spectrum described it as a tragedy and warned against political violence.
Charlie Kirk’s assassination is more than a criminal case. It is a failure of security, a test of law enforcement credibility, and a mirror held up to the toxic speed of misinformation. The shooter is still free, and the questions are multiplying about safety, accountability, and how political violence is inflamed.
Charlie Kirk stands in the back of the room as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremonyGetty Images
The investigation will eventually name a suspect. But no arrest will erase the fact that a man was gunned down in front of his family, and that the aftermath, from false custody claims to viral lies, has made a fractured nation feel even more unstable. Not in abstract political terms, but in the daily lives of people who now fear rallies, campuses, and speech. That is the cost we can least afford to ignore.
Keep ReadingShow less
Prince Harry visits the Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London, in London, Britain, September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett
PRINCE HARRY had tea with King Charles on Wednesday (10) at their first meeting in 20 months, in what may prove a first step toward ending a much-publicised rift between father and son.
Harry, the Duke of Sussex, last saw his father in February 2024, shortly after it was announced that the king was undergoing treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles, 76, had a private tea at Clarence House in London with his son on Wednesday.
Harry, 40, travelled directly to an Invictus Games event in London after the meeting. Asked by a reporter about his father, he said: "Yes, he's great, thank you."
Harry flew into Britain on Monday (8) for a series of engagements, and earlier on Wednesday visited a research centre which specialises in improving treatment for victims with blast injuries.
Since Harry and his American wife Meghan moved to California in 2020 where they now live with their two children, they have been highly critical of the royal family and the institution in interviews, TV documentaries and Harry's autobiography Spare.
Harry had some particularly barbed comments for Charles and his elder brother, heir-to-the-throne Prince William, leading to a total breakdown in his relationship with his family.
"Of course some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course they will never forgive me for lots of things. But you know ... I would love reconciliation with my family. ... There's no point in continuing to fight anymore. And life is precious," he told the BBC.
"I don't know how much longer my father has. He won't speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile."
Buckingham Palace and Harry's representatives had been tight-lipped ahead of the prince's visit to Britain about whether there would be a meeting with the king.
However, Charles' communications chief and Harry's media representatives were pictured in July at a secret meeting in London in what newspapers suggested might be the first steps towards a reconciliation.
Historian and author Anthony Seldon said mending their relationship was important for the monarchy and for both Charles and Harry as individuals.
"The king is the king, but he's also a human being and a loving father," Seldon told Reuters. "I think the rift will have caused both of them a lot of anguish. So if that can be healed, at least in part, now or subsequently, then that's all to the good."