USA Update

VLADIMIR Putin has mysteriously demolished one of his most beloved palaces amid claims the paranoid tyrant is scared of being targeted by a Ukrainian drone.

Satellite images show how Putin’s pricey Bocharov Ruchey palace which overlooks the Black Sea in Sochi has been bulldozed with just a patch of empty land left behind.

East2West

Satellite images show how Putin’s beloved mansion has been torn down[/caption]

East2West

All that is left of the Bocharov Ruchey palace in Sochi is the barren patch of land[/caption]

East2West

Putin’s palace before it was destroyed by the paranoid dictator[/caption]

EPA

Reports say Vlad is ‘truly afraid’ of being killed in a kamikaze drone strike hence why the palace was bulldozed[/caption]

An investigation by the Russian opposition news site Proekt has revealed that the palace may have torn down because Vlad is “truly afraid” of being killed in a kamikaze drone strike.

It is believed it was decimated by the dictator back in February or March of this year.

In recent years Putin has frequently visited the Stalin-designed holiday home but in the last few months he has completely neglected Sochi due to Ukraine‘s position in the Krasnodar region.

Drones have targeted several areas in Sochi since Putin’s invasion back in February 2022.

Mainly blasting oil depots nearby to the tyrant’s lair.

Putin even started to deploy missiles to his favourite mansion due to the drone attacks back in November 2023.

The 190,000 square foot, billion dollar home northwest  in Gelendzhik is fully equipped with everything the dictator could need in all circumstances.

It has its own church, wine cellar, casino, hookah lounge, stripper pole, arboretum, ice rink and intense security systems.

Not only is it sealed off from the public by 17,000 acres of woodland and a no-fly zone overhead, but the autocrat also has a complex tunnel system designed for his safety.

The tunnels are supplied with fresh water, are well ventilated, and have the ability to withstand a nuclear blast.

Putin used to spend his summers in Sochi with him known to direct the Kremlin from the home in the past.

Many even saw it as Putin’s personal love nests as he shared it with secret partner Alina Kabaeva, 41, and their two young children, Ivan, nine, and Vladimir Junior, five.

The new satellite pictures show how the spot where the mansion used to sit has now been reduced to a decimated earth pit.

Russia is yet to confirm the building has been demolished despite the images.

The Proekt report who found the images stated: “The [Bocharov Ruchey ] building was demolished to the ground.

“A lot of questions remain.

“First of all, why did a luxurious residence need to be demolished given it had been renovated 10 years ago?

“The answer is, probably, obvious – because of [Ukrainian] drone attacks, the president is afraid of being on the Black Sea coast of Krasnodar region.

“In 2023, Putin felt a threat to his physical safety and got scared.

“A Putin acquaintance confirmed to Proekt that the president is truly afraid to fly south.”

Despite many claiming the despot tore the house down over safety concerns others say it could be a more tactical move from Russia.

One theory says that Putin has demolished the palace using the war as an excuse so he can build a new and more luxurious mansion in a similar area.

The new development could have a superior bunker facilities for the paranoid ruler in case he loses the war or becomes a target for the West and nuclear weapons.

It comes as a mystery fire gutted part of Putin’s other mountain palace said to be home to a sprawling nuclear bunker for his secret family.

The inferno ripped through a building at the Altai Mountain bolthole – where Putin once entertained former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi.

East2West

Alina Kabaeva and Vladimir Putin at an event in Kremlin, Russia[/caption]

East2West

Footage captured the moment a drone hit a fuel depot in the Russian resort of Sochi last year amid claims Putin is scared for his life[/caption]

THE world’s longest-living survivor of ‘Benjamin Button disease’ who spent his life searching for a cure has died.

Sammy Basso, aged just 28, was diagnosed with the rare genetic disease progeria.

Jam Press

Sammy Basso, 28, was the longest living progeria sufferer who spent his life trying to find cure for the disease[/caption]

Jam Press

He passed way on October 5[/caption]

Jam Press

The condition causes sufferers to age rapidly and appear older than they are.

People with progeria generally appear healthy at birth, but symptoms such as slowed growth, loss of fat tissue, and hair loss begin to appear in their first year.

The average life expectancy for an individual with progeria is about 15 years.

Sammy, from the northern Italian region of Veneto, is believed to be the longest-living survivor of the rare genetic disease.

He was diagnosed with the disease aged just over two years old and founded the Italian Progeria Sammy Basso Association with the help of his parents aged 10.

He dedicated his life to raising awareness about the disease, appearing in the the National Geographic documentary “Sammy’s Journey”.

He even wrote his graduate thesis on the possibility of curing progeria through genetic engineering.

Sammy was having dinner with family and friends on the evening of October 5 when he suddenly felt unwell.

Emergency medics were dispatched to the restaurant and tried to resuscitate the young biologist, but their efforts were in vain.

Just a few weeks before his death in Asolo, north-eastern Italy, he had returned from a trip to China.

And the evening before his passing, he was awarded the Paolo Rizzi Journalism Prize in the “Environment and Society” category in Venice.

The organisers cited “his willpower, spirit of sacrifice, and the courage that sustains him”.

Sammy was born in Thiene on 1 December 1995 and lived in Tezze sul Brenta.

In 2005, he founded the Italian Progeria Association to spread knowledge about his condition and to encourage research into it.

He graduated from the University of Padua with a degree in Natural Sciences in 2018.

In 2019, he was made a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic by President Sergio Mattarella.

He graduated again from the University of Padua in 2021 with a master’s degree in Molecular Biology.

His thesis explored the correlation between progeria and inflammation.

His dream was to work at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland.

Progeria is not hereditary and is instead caused by a mutation in the LMNA gene.

The mutation likely occurs in a single sperm or egg immediately before conception.

There are about 70 children with the disorder worldwide, most of whom will die from heart problems or strokes.

Basso is survived by his parents, who said: “We are deeply grateful for the privilege of having shared part of our journey with him.

“He taught all of us that, even though life’s obstacles may sometimes seem insurmountable, it’s worth living it fully.”

Jam Press

Sammy was having dinner with family and friends when he suddenly felt unwell[/caption]

Getty

Rita Ora and Sammy Basso attend the BoF VOICES Gala Dinner and Party at Soho Farmhouse in November 2023[/caption]

A TIKTOKER broke down about fighting for her life months before she died from a mystery illness at just 25 years old.

Influencer Taylor Rousseau Grigg described being bedridden, writhing in pain, and crushed under medical debt in raw videos.

Instagram

TikTok star Taylor Grigg, seen with her husband Cameron, has tragically died from a mystery illness at just 25-years-old[/caption]

Instagram

Tiktok/itstaylorrousseau

On Sunday, Grigg’s husband Cameron shared a devastating Instagram post announcing that his wife was “gone from this world.”

“Even though her earthly body may have failed her, her memory and life will be carried on forever,” he said, announcing she would be an organ donor.

“We know her spirit is in heaven dancing in the streets made of gold with all her beauty and grace.”

Neither Grigg nor Cameron explained exactly what illness the influencer suffered from, but she did open up about the horrific symptoms it caused.

Grigg, who had 1.4 million followers on TikTok, spoke out about her condition in August after fans noticed she hadn’t acted like herself.

She said she couldn’t “fake a smile” anymore as her illness had left her unable to walk to the mailbox or carry a suitcase.

“I feel like I’m fighting for life every day,” she said.

“When I didn’t know what was wrong with me, I’d be in bed writhing with pain, just wishing to be dead.

“I don’t feel that way now, but I feel like I have to fight to live.”

Grigg explained that she once loved sports and living an active lifestyle, but her illness had rendered her unable to run.

“I love who I am, and I’m trying to find myself,” she said.

“I haven’t been myself in a long time.”

In June, Grigg explained why she wasn’t going to disclose any details about her condition.

In a question-and-answer video, she said TikTok and the internet were “horrible” places to discuss health as everyone wants to chime in and tell her how to treat her illness.

TAYLOR Swift has missed yet another special day for Travis Kelce amid her recent absence from public life with him.

Swift has missed the last two Kansas City Chiefs games, and now she has skipped out on his birthday bash.

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Travis Kelce held a charity event for his birthday on October 5[/caption]

Getty

Taylor Swift did not show up for Kelce’s birthday party[/caption]

Kelce‘s birthday was on Saturday, and he enjoyed celebrating at his second annual Kelce Car Jam.

The event is for charity and raises money for underprivileged children in the area.

There were plenty of friends and family in attendance at the event coinciding with Kelce’s birthday, including his mom, his brother Jason, and Patrick and Brittany Mahomes.

However, while all of those people were around to celebrate, Swift was nowhere to be found.

The sudden string of absences has many fans wondering if Swift and Kelce are even still a couple, especially after the date of their alleged breakup passed.

A fake contract went viral before the NFL season that detailed a scenario where Swift and Kelce split up.

The “contract” detailed that the two would break up on September 28, and also shared specific scenarios.

“Example: Travis and Taylor have decided to part ways after careful consideration,” the alleged document read.

“They both value and respect each other’s personal lives and appreciate your respect for privacy during this time.

“They are both committed to their careers and personal growth. They remain friends and wish each other the best.”

While Kelce’s team vehemently denied the credibility of the contract, Swifts absences in the weeks since the alleged breakup date have raised eyebrows.

The Chiefs are returning home for Monday Night Football this week, and it is a chance for Swift to inspire confidence in fans that her relationship with Kelce is still going strong.

While she didn’t make it to the Kelce Car Jam in the days before the game, Kelce made sure to let fans know that he expects her at the Chiefs game.

“She will not be here,” Kelce said at the event.

“I know she’s coming in for the game.”

It looks like Swift is coming back at the right time too, as Kelce looks to finally be breaking out of his early slump.

Through the first three games of the season, Kelce had just eight catches for 69 yards.

In Week four alone he had seven catches for 89 yards.

While Kelce is still looking for his first touchdown of the season, progress is progress and his connection with Mahomes is definitely returning.

Week 5 will give Swift and fans a good idea of if he is truly back to his old form.

Getty

Swift has not been in attendance for the last two Chiefs games[/caption]

BRAZEN drivers will begin facing stricter penalties under a new law that aims to combat reckless driving by out-of-towners.

The Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility (STEER) Act went into effect on October 4 in Washington DC, and will seek to punish careless drivers from neighboring states.

Getty Images - Getty

Getty Images - Getty

Under the new legislation, which was unanimously passed in February, the attorney general of the Nation’s Capital has the authority to sue drivers who owe the city thousands in traffic fines.

If a traffic camera captures a vehicle registered in DC committing a violation, the driver must first pay the fine to renew their car’s registration in the city.

However, this rule did not affect out-of-state drivers as they would not have to renew their registration in the city.

However, the law will now apply to drivers from out of state, including those in neighboring Virginia and Maryland.

Before the legislation came into effect, drivers who racked up thousands in traffic fines could not be held accountable.

Under the STEER Act, a new point system will be enforced that could result in a driver’s vehicle being towed or booted.

“The Attorney General is hiring two attorneys who are going to work full time on this,” Council member Charles Allen told WTOP-FM.

“They’re going to be taking people who have these huge sums, and they’re going to take them to court.”

Drivers caught speeding will be punished under a new 10-point system.

• Speeding 11 to 15 mph over the limit will result in two points.
• Speeding 16 to 19 mph over the limit will result in three points.
• Speeding 20+ mph over the limit will result in five points.
• Tickets for reckless driving will result in five points.
• Tickets for aggravated reckless driving will result in 10 points.

If a driver accumulates 10 points in a six-month window, their car will become eligible for booting and towing.

“It’s dangerous. We have lost lives over this,” Allen told the outlet.

“In the District, we’re not just going to sit back anymore.”

Under the STEER Act, city officials will be allowed to install an intelligent speed assistance system in the vehicles of drivers convicted of reckless driving.

The new speed system will automatically limit the vehicle’s speed.

The speed system works similarly to an ignition interlock device, which is installed in vehicles owned by people convicted of driving under the influence.

In 2022, the District was owed $889,187 in unpaid parking tickets, according to records from Washington DC’s Department of Public Works, obtained by CBS affiliate WUSA.

Between October 2020 and March 2021, about 75% of unpaid photo tickets in Washington DC belonged to Maryland drivers, the outlet reported.

In 2022, plates from Maryland and Virginia were cited for a violation over 750,000 times, according to records obtained by Fox affiliate WTTG.

“It’s certainly tough to say, but when you look at the numbers and that some of these drivers, we’re not talking about folks who are distracted here and there, we’re talking about folks who are dangerous and shouldn’t be on the road,” DC resident Katherine Eyster told the outlet.

“And so, hopefully that makes a difference.”

“It’s important, I think, to send that strong signal that the Attorney General is going to be coming after you,” Allen added.

“That we are going to make sure we put teeth into that reckless driving and making sure we get those drivers, hold them accountable, and get them off our streets.”

THE NINTENDO Switch isn’t always seen as one of the best consoles for online multiplayer games, due in part to its portability and reliance on wi-fi over a wired connection. 

That said, for multiplayer experiences as a whole, the Switch is absolutely packed with both couch co-op games and online multiplayer games that are surprisingly solid. 

Capcom

Monster Hunter Rise lets you take down huge monsters with friends.[/caption]

One such online multiplayer game on the Switch is Monster Hunter Rise, the most recent game in the Monster Hunter series that spent a couple of years as a Switch exclusive before being ported to PC, PS5, and Xbox. 

It’s a co-operative monster-hunting action RPG where you and up to three friends can head into the field to take down giant monsters, and it’s a fantastic game. 

Critics praised it for its fast-paced combat, which was said to be much better than prior games in the series, and its huge amount of content, with over 300 hours of content for a completionist. 

While the game usually retails for £34.99, Nintendo Switch owners can now pick it up on the Nintendo eShop for just £8.74, a massive saving of 75%. 

Those who want the massive Sunbreak expansion as well can pick up the game and Sunbreak in a single package for just £16.49, down from the usual £49.99. 

Buying the Sunbreak expansion separately costs £14.39 currently, or £35.99 normally, so interested players should pick up the bundle that includes the game and the expansion in one cheap purchase. 

Monster Hunter Rise will be on sale on Switch until October 22, 2024, so players have two weeks to pick it up before it goes back to its regular price. 

The sale comes after the announcement of the next game in the series, Monster Hunter Wilds, which is set to be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on February 28, 2024. 

The new game is set to be fully open world, rather than having separate open areas like Rise, and lets players switch between two different weapons in the field for the first time. 

It also comes as Nintendo fans wait for news on the Switch 2, which is set to be announced at some point in the next five months, and has had a number of apparent leaked images surface in recent weeks. 

If you want to read more about Nintendo, check out why Nintendo and Pokémon are suing Palworld.

BUTTERBALL was a hilarious labrador that stole the internet’s heart after going viral on TikTok in 2023.

Sadly, the beloved TikTok pooch passed away at the age of 14 leading many fans to pay tribute to the dog that brought them so much joy.

Here’s everything you need to know about Butterball.

Instagram/butterballthatsme

Dog days

Butterball was a labrador retriever who became a TikTok sensation when she was 13-years-old.

A video was posted to the social media platform of her leaping onto her owner’s Gator utility vehicle when she was too tired to walk.

TikTokers fell in love with her ability to quietly sit and observe at one moment, but then lovingly bound over to her owner in the next.

Instagram/butterballthatsme

Butterball’s TikTok superstardom

That video of Butterball propelled her to TikTok super-fame, with videos about the pooch getting a total of 252million likes.

Her TikTok account had over 600,000 followers and her Instagram account had 300,000 followers.

Butterball’s fame continued to grow as her owner posted videos of the dog playing in mud and often had hilarious captions such as “Butterball is thinking of running for governor at this point”.

Instagram/butterballthatsme

Butterball passing away

Sadly Butterball passed away on October 6, 2024.

Her owner posted a picture of the TikTok star with a caption reading: “She lived a good life and died in my lap while she was getting endless pets from everyone. See you again Butterball put in a good word when you’re up there”.

Her owner had posted a video of the labrador just a week before, where she excitedly ran up to her owner.

Fans have been posting tributes to the beloved dog and commenting on videos of her, saying “rest in peace, angel” and “RIP bud”.

DESHAUN Watson was caught in a moment of chaos that saw him walk off the field in the middle of the Cleveland Browns’ defeat to the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

Watson found himself having to leave the huddle and head to the sidelines in the third quarter, causing confusion in the stands.

AP

Deshaun Watson and Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski have cleared up the confusion from their blunder during defeat to the Washington Commanders[/caption]

Trailing by 21 points in the third quarter, the Browns offense stayed on the field at fourth-and-goal to try and start a miracle comeback.

But before they could even get a snap away, Watson was trudging off the field and the Browns opted to kick a field goal – leaving fans concerned that he Watson given up on the team.

However, head coach Kevin Stefanski has now revealed that wasn’t the case at all, and instead Watson was trying to save his side from a penalty.

Speaking after the 34-13 thrashing, Stefanski explained that his side had 12 men in the huddle and as the play clock ticked down they were putting themselves at risk of punishment.

He said: “We had the wrong amount of people in the huddle, and then at that point, we were just going to kick the field goal.

“Obviously we had penalties and some miscommunications which are completely on me.

“I’ll take responsibility for all of that. That looks like losing football to me, I’ll get it fixed.”

It wasn’t the only time that the Browns were caught with 12 players on the field either, and Stefanski vented his frustrations at the errors.

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Stefanski explained what led to the moment of madness[/caption]

He added: “It is really frustrating, we will get that fixed. Before we beat anybody, you have to stop beating yourself.

“We need to play better as an offense, we need to coach better as an offense.”

The Browns are now 1-4 after their opening five games after they were taught a lesson by the Commanders who were led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Watson cut a frustrated figure himself after the defeat and echoed a similar sentiment to Stefanski during his post-match interview.

The 29-year-old said: “We shoot ourselves in the foot. It is tough.

“The offense is going to go as far as I go. So, at the end of the day, we’re not doing enough offensively. We have got to figure it out quickly.”

While he also went some way to explaining the mess that saw him have to leave the field, adding: “Too many men on the huddle and that was it.

“We just have got to lock in, that’s all I can say right now.”

After Watson left the field the Browns were forced to take a 5-yard delay penalty and settle for a field goal.

Watson has taken the blame for the Browns’ shortcomings in recent times with the star QB unable to live up to the expectations that came with his $230MILLION contract.

But Stefanski has stood firm that he won’t be dropping the three-time Pro Bowler.

When quizzed on the possibility of playing a different quarterback, he defiantly responded: “We’re not changing quarterbacks.

“We need to play better. I need to coach better. That’s really what it is.”

AP

Stefanski has backed his own decision to keep Watson as his starting quarterback[/caption]

The comic book industry veteran was previously the publisher of indie comic company IDW.

This musical takes a sharp look at society’s double standards, where politics, crime and satire collide.