JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1279

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged MPs to call Prince Andrew to give evidence over his 75-year lease of Royal Lodge, amid wider demands for transparency around the Crown Estate. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said proper scrutiny of Crown properties was important. A BBC-seen document shows Andrew paid about £8m upfront, effectively buying out rent, with potential partial refunds if he leaves early. Ex-commissioner Lord Curry called any inquiry a waste, while Baroness Margaret Hodge branded the deal “rotten” and pressed for openness. US lawmakers also signalled interest in hearing from Andrew.

Climate Central reports the first half of 2025 was the costliest on record for US disasters, with 14 events topping $1bn and $101bn in damages. Ferocious January wildfires in Los Angeles drove the toll—$61bn, about 16,000 buildings lost and roughly 400 indirect deaths—ranking among the priciest US climate disasters and the only top‑10 event not a hurricane. The nonprofit revived NOAA’s billion‑dollar disaster tracking after the Trump administration retired it. Experts warn FEMA’s staff cuts and politically driven funding fights leave the country vulnerable, even as no hurricane has made landfall and July’s Texas floods lie beyond the update.

At the Peoria trial of Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, prosecutors said he ignored training and unlawfully killed Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who had called 911 from her home. Grayson, charged with three counts of first-degree murder, pleaded not guilty. Jurors will see body-camera video that prosecutors say shows Massey posed no threat; the defense says she raised a pot of hot water and that deadly force was reasonable. Evidence included delayed collection of a casing and the pan. The 2024 killing has spurred scrutiny of police shootings and prompted a transparency change in Illinois law.

In Abidjan, slam poet Placide Konan voices anger at hardship as Ivory Coast heads to Saturday’s vote, where 83-year-old President Alassane Ouattara seeks a fourth term and is seen as likely to win after key rivals were barred, including Tidjane Thiam. Protests over the candidate list have brought arrests, limits on gatherings and at least three deaths, while more than 40,000 security personnel are deployed for about 8.7 million voters. Ouattara touts stability and opportunities for youth amid 6% growth in 2024, yet inequality, 37.5% poverty and fragile northern security persist, analysts warn.

Scott Wiener, a 55-year-old Democratic state senator known for housing and LGBTQ rights, will enter San Francisco’s congressional race despite Nancy Pelosi, 85, not yet announcing her 2026 plans. He praised Pelosi but said he’s done waiting, framing his move as ensuring progressive organizer Saikat Chakrabarti, 39, doesn’t succeed her, arguing Chakrabarti lacks deep San Francisco roots. Chakrabarti says he’s lived in the city since 2009 and is running to “save democracy.” Pelosi’s office offered no comment, citing focus on Proposition 50. If elected, Wiener would be the first gay person to represent San Francisco in federal office.

Women across the U.S. are turning to high-dose testosterone—often from med-spas and pellet implants—seeking energy and revived libido despite no FDA-approved product for women and scant long-term data. Many describe dramatic boosts to desire, focus and productivity; some say it transformed relationships. Others report unsettling effects, from hair loss and voice deepening to irritability and outsized arousal, with pellets impossible to reverse for months. Specialists endorse only standard doses for postmenopausal low libido, yet social media hype and celebrity mentions are fueling demand as industry pushes for eventual approval.

Maxx Crosby is staying with the Raiders, NFL Network reported, despite inquiries ahead of next month’s trade deadline. After meeting with the club Tuesday, the four-time Pro Bowler wants to remain in Las Vegas. The 28-year-old has 28 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble and an interception through seven games for the 2-5 team, now in its first season under Pete Carroll. Coming off a 31-0 loss to the Chiefs and a bye, Crosby is set for Week 9 against the Jaguars. Receiver Jakobi Meyers reiterated his trade request; the deadline is Nov. 4 at 4 p.m.

JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes made their red carpet debut at the 2025 Dancers Against Cancer Gala of the Stars at the Beverly Hilton on Tuesday, trading kisses and giggles on arrival. Hughes surprised Siwa with news she’d receive the Humanitarian Award for 10 years of work with the charity, then presented it later that night. The pair, who met on U.K. Celebrity Big Brother, recently introduced their families backstage at Siwa’s Birmingham show. Janet Jackson, Allison Holker and host Maksim Chmerkovskiy were among attendees.

Six people were arrested after a crowd outside the CityWest Hotel near Dublin hurled bricks, bottles and fireworks at police and set a van ablaze, Ireland’s national force said Wednesday. One officer suffered a foot injury. Hundreds, many waving Irish tricolor flags, had gathered Tuesday evening in Saggart following reports of a sexual assault. Some tried to charge the police line with horse-drawn carts as officers used pepper spray. Police Commissioner Justin Kelly condemned “thuggery,” and Prime Minister Micheál Martin said there was “no justification.”

Germany is grappling with a wave of mysterious drones near critical sites—from an industrial park by Hamburg to Munich’s airport and Kiel’s seaport—that halted flights for hours and stranded thousands. Air traffic control logged 172 suspicious incidents around airfields through the end of September, up from 129 during the same period in 2024. Chancellor Friedrich Merz suspects Russia is testing defenses; officials say most drones are commercial, with origins unclear. Legal limits curb the military, spurring proposals to expand its role and launch a federal drone defense center, as the defense minister pledged €10 billion for drones and countermeasures.