Latest News
- Judge rules Maurene Comey was unlawfully fired from federal prosecutor role
- American tourist falls to her death while hiking in the Italian Dolomites
- Voters cast ballots in Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area municipal elections
- Trump suggests trade war with Canada could conclude soon at rally
- Poilievre urges Carney to repeal British Columbia’s oil tanker ban
- Lula’s election victory in Brazil signals challenges for Farage in the UK
- Israel’s first national election since October attacks set for November
- Uncertainty remains over new Serbian government and prime minister selection
LIVE German 2025 Election Results as they come in and analysi on who will be the next German Chancellor.
Knowledge Hub
Global Reaction to DE Elections
Judge rules Maurene Comey was unlawfully fired from federal prosecutor role
9:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Maurene Comey, James Comey’s daughter, was unlawfully fired, judge rules
A federal judge in Washington ruled that the Justice Department unlawfully fired Maurene Comey from her position as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ordered her reinstatement and back pay, stating that her removal violated the constitutional separation of powers and federal law.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman stated that Maurene Comey’s firing violated the Civil Service Reform Act, which protects federal workers from unjust termination. The Justice Department plans to appeal the decision, although a timeline for that appeal has not been provided.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate Maurene Comey as a federal prosecutor and provide back pay following his ruling that her firing violated federal law. In response, a Justice Department spokesperson stated they “disagree with this decision and will appeal in due course.”
What remains unclear — It is not specified whether the Justice Department will attempt to uphold the legal authority it cited for Comey’s firing during the appeal.
Judge rules Maurene Comey was unlawfully fired from federal prosecutor role
Washington — A federal judge on Monday found that the Justice Department unlawfully fired Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, from her post as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman said in a 55-page decision that Comey’s removal violated the constitutional separation of powers and federal law. The judge retroactively reinstated Comey to her role as a federal prosecutor and ordered the Trump administration to provide her back pay from the date of her firing in July 2025 through Dec. 20, when she accepted a different job.
Comey’s lawsuit was one of several filed by former government employees who were fired without cause that tested the limits of the president’s power to fire federal officials.
The Trump administration had argued that Article II of the Constitution gives the president unrestricted removal power, and said Congress could not limit the removal of federal prosecutors.
But in his decision, Furman ruled that Comey’s firing violated the Civil Service Reform Act, a landmark law enacted in 1978 that provides protections for federal workers. The Trump administration, he wrote, is attempting to “upend” long-settled case law allowing Congress to regulate the removal of so-called inferior officers.
“Indeed, to accept Defendants’ argument would be to unsettle the very equilibrium established by this Nation’s constitutional system,” Furman wrote.
Comey’s legal team cheered the decision as a “hard-earned victory” for her and all civil servants.
“As the Court correctly held, to accept the government’s argument about unlimited executive power ‘would be to unsettle the very equilibrium established by this Nation’s constitutional system.’ This decision reaffirms our bedrock system of checks and balances: the President is not above the law,” lawyers Ellen Blain, Nicole Gueron, Deepa Vanamali and Margaret Donovan said in a statement.
A Justice Department spokesperson said it “disagrees with this decision and will appeal in due course.”
Comey had served as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan since 2015, handling high-profile criminal cases against figures including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and former Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez.
In a letter to her former colleagues at the time of her dismissal, Comey said she was “summarily fired via memo” by the Justice Department’s headquarters in Washington, and was not given a reason for her termination.
The letter she received stated, “Pursuant to Article II of the United States Constitution and the laws of the United States, your employment with the Department of Justice is hereby terminated, and you are removed from federal service effective immediately.”
It was initially unclear who made the decision to oust Comey, but in May, the Trump administration said then-Attorney General Pam Bondi “directed” her removal, and her successor, Todd Blanche, “ratified” her termination.
Comey sued the Justice Department over her firing last year, alleging she had probably been fired because President Trump dislikes her father, who has been indicted twice during the second Trump administration. One of the criminal cases was tossed out, and James Comey has denied wrongdoing in the second.
“Ms. Comey’s termination — without cause, without advance notice, and without any opportunity to contest it — was unlawful and unconstitutional,” Comey’s attorneys wrote in their complaint.
The Trump administration attempted to dismiss the lawsuit on the grounds that Comey was required to bring her claims before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the agency tasked with adjudicating appeals from federal employees regarding adverse actions taken against them, but Furman denied the government’s motion and allowed the case to continue.
Furman found that because Comey’s firing rested on Article II of the Constitution — not a federal law governing the civil service — the federal court had jurisdiction to hear the case.
In court filings, the Justice Department admitted that Comey had received a rating of “outstanding” on her performance reviews from 2019 through 2024, but said that her firing had been carried out under legal authority Congress granted to the attorney general to fire assistant U.S. attorneys.
In defending Comey’s firing, the Trump administration relied, in part, on the Supreme Court’s June decision allowing the president to fire members of certain independent agencies without cause. In that case, the high court overturned a more than 90-year-old decision that allowed Congress to restrict the president’s ability to fire officials from multimember agencies at will.
But Furman said the Justice Department’s argument amounted to a “sweeping and unprecedented theory of executive authority.”
American tourist falls to her death while hiking in the Italian Dolomites
8:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Tourist falls ‘1,000 feet’ to her death in Italy while taking photo | News World
Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva, a 36-year-old American tourist from Florida, fell approximately 300 metres while hiking in the Dolomites, near Forcella Pordoi above Canazei, Italy, on 17 October. Medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene shortly after rescue efforts commenced.
The investigation into Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva’s death is ongoing, with authorities focusing on the circumstances surrounding her fall from the mountain. More than 80 fatalities have been reported in the Dolomites this year, a significant increase from the historical average of approximately 10 annual deaths attributed to mountain accidents.
Authorities in Italy confirmed that the tragic death of Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva, 36, was reported following an incident in the Dolomites on October 17, where she slipped from a marked path. The Italian Alpine Rescue unit has noted an alarming rise in fatalities this year, with over 80 deaths already recorded, prompting officials to issue warnings about the dangers posed by steep slopes and loose gravel in popular hiking areas.
What remains unclear — The exact height from which Michelle Leiva fell is disputed, with reports varying between approximately 200 metres and nearly 1,000 feet.
American tourist falls to her death while hiking in the Italian Dolomites
An American tourist sadly died while on holiday in the Italian Dolomites (Picture: Jam Press)
A 36-year-old American woman died after falling off a cliff in Italy while attempting to take a picture.
Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva from Florida was on holiday with her family in the Dolomites when the incident took place on October 17, according to local Italian outlets.
Leiva had been hiking in the Val di Fassa, a scenic alpine valley in Trentino,when she reportedly strayed from a designated mountain path to take a photo. Tragically, she lost her footing and plunged almost 1,000 feet down the slope, CNN stated.
However, other reports differ on how far she fell, as Il Dolomiti reported it was approximately 656 feet.
Reports differ on how far Leiva fell (Picture: Jam Press)
Leiva’s sister saw her sibling fall and called emergency services around 12pm local time. A rescuer reached the site of the incident and provided Leiva’s location coordinates to an air rescue technician.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Sadly, when the technician and medics arrived on the scene it was too late and Leiva was pronounced dead. The recovery operation lasted several hours and concluded at about 2:30pm local time, Il Dolomiti reported.
Leiva’s death was announced later in the week after her next of kin were notified, police say.
Her family members who were with her at the time were airlifted to Canazei, a premier alpine municipality and ski resort located in the upper Val di Fassa, while her body was retrieved, CNN reports.
Leiva, her family, and the rest of the tour group were on their way to a cable car station to take them to the summit of Sass Pordoi, where they were supposed to have dinner at a renowned mountaintop restaurant when the accident happened.
This part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is only accessible by cable car and, at its highest, reaches 9,344 feet.
The Dolomites as a whole are known for their panoramic views, dramatic rock formations, and unique fossil records.
More than 80 people have died in the Dolomites this year (Picture: Universal Images Group Editorial)
Recently, the Dolomites have surged in popularity, driven by social media tourism, viral TikTok trends, and ‘coolcations’ as travellers swap extreme heatwaves in southern Europe and coastal areas for cooler climes.
The Italian Alpine Rescue unit told CNN that the region’s hiking areas can be dangerous due to steep slopes, loose gravel and falling rocks.
The outlet reported that more than 80 people have died in the Dolomites this year alone.
This is a huge increase, as the Dolomites traditionally average about 10 deaths per year from mountain accidents. Totals vary significantly depending on weather conditions and visitor numbers.
Levia’s sister saw her sibling tumble to her death (Picture: Jam Press)
Leiva was born in Guatemala and graduated from Brigham Young University, a private research institution, in Provo, Utah, in 2012.
She went on to work in communications, marketing and business development.
In 2025, Leiva worked remotely in Rome in consulting and participated in volunteer work, including supporting young people and disadvantaged communities.
Comment now
Comments
Add WTX as a Preferred Source on Google
Voters cast ballots in Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area municipal elections
5:03 pm
What’s the Latest: Voters head to the polls across Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
Voters across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area are heading to the polls to elect mayors, councillors, and school board trustees. The election includes a competitive mayoral race in Toronto between incumbent Olivia Chow and challenger Brad Bradford.
Voting hours for the municipal elections across Greater Toronto and Hamilton are set from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with residents advised to confirm specific times and locations through their respective municipalities. Live coverage of election results will occur from multiple cities, including Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, and Brampton, with an election special airing from 8 to 10 p.m.
Voters in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area are going to the polls today to elect mayors, councillors, and school board trustees, with high-profile contests including the race for Toronto’s mayor between Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford. Live coverage of the election results will be provided by global news outlets from various headquarters, starting at 8 p.m.
What remains unclear — The final voter turnout figures for the municipal elections have yet to be released.
Voters cast ballots in Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area municipal elections
Voters in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area are heading to the polls on Monday to elect mayors, councillors, and school board trustees. The elections follow weeks of campaigning, marked by intense competition, particularly in Toronto’s mayoral race between incumbent Olivia Chow and challenger Brad Bradford.
Both candidates have been actively engaging undecided voters during the final stretch of the campaign. Chow accused Bradford of neglecting his constituents in his ward, while Bradford has asserted that Chow has not adequately addressed the city’s traffic and transit issues. “This has been a difficult campaign,” said Chow, highlighting her key promises to lower grocery prices, provide free school lunches, and increase affordable housing.
In Mississauga, former mayor Bonnie Crombie is seeking to reclaim her position after stepping down to lead the Ontario Liberal Party. Crombie previously held the mayoralty for nearly a decade and is up against incumbent Carolyn Parrish, who has been in charge since June 2024 and is vying for her first full term.
Notable figures on the ballots include Patrick Brown, who is aiming for a third term as mayor of Brampton, and Andrea Horwath, who seeks a second term as mayor of Hamilton. Steven Del Duca is also running for re-election as Vaughan’s mayor.
Voting is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. as per guidelines from the Ontario government, but voters are advised to verify specific times and locations through their local municipalities. WTX News will provide live coverage of the election results from various headquarters across the region.
Trump suggests trade war with Canada could conclude soon at rally
4:34 pm
Get you up to speed: Trade war with Canada could end ‘pretty soon,’ Trump says during rally
At a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, Donald Trump stated that Canada had been “ripping off” the U.S. on trade, leading to the imposition of levies on Canadian goods. No immediate numbers on potential economic impacts were provided.
Officials have not disclosed which specific Canadian goods will be affected by the proposed levies. The duration of the trade tensions remains uncertain as negotiations between the two countries are ongoing.
In response to Trump’s comments, Canadian officials have reiterated their commitment to defend their trade practices and to engage in negotiations to resolve any disputes. Trump is rallying the ‘American-first crowd as the midterms approach.
It is not disclosed what specific Canadian goods are affected by the imposed levies.
Trump suggests trade war with Canada could conclude soon at rally, often deflecting from the issues at home.
The White House also reiterated claims that Canada would be punished if it interfered with US midterm elections. This came after the Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly travelled to the US and met with bot Democrats and Republicans.
Poilievre urges Carney to repeal British Columbia’s oil tanker ban
4:16 pm
Get you up to speed: Poilievre asks Carney to repeal B.C.’s oil tanker ban
A federal Tory bill to scrap the tanker ban is set for a second reading this week, with Opposition MPs including Pierre Poilievre signing a letter to Mark Carney.
Several Opposition MPs, including Poilievre, are advocating for the repeal of the tanker ban as the federal Tory bill approaches its second reading.
As the trade war with the USA intensifies, the coalition of MPs want to put Canada first. The group says the tanker ban “effectively donates” billions of dollars to the United States by forcing Canada to sell discounted oil profiting American refineries.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how many Opposition MPs signed the letter to Carney.
Poilievre urges Carney to repeal British Columbia‘s oil tanker ban
Poilievre was one of several Opposition MPs who signed a letter to Carney as a federal Tory bill to scrap the tanker ban goes for second reading this week.
The letter says the Opposition would also be willing to discuss amendments to the ban that would allow the Prince Rupert project to move forward.
The MPs point to a proposal by Calgary-based Strathcona Resources to ship up to 250,000 barrels of Canadian oil a day on existing railroad tracks through Prince Rupert, B.C., and across the Pacific Ocean.
For the proposal to be considered, the tanker ban would have to be lifted, and the letter says the federal government is the only thing standing in the way.
Lula’s election victory in Brazil signals challenges for Farage in the UK
4:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Lula’s victory in Brazil should have Nigel Farage watching his back | News World
Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva won a historic fourth term as president of Brazil, defeating Flávio Bolsonaro in a runoff election held in São Paulo on October 25, 2026. Lula’s victory followed an initial election on October 4, which did not yield a majority winner, prompting the subsequent runoff.
Authorities have not disclosed the exact margin by which Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the runoff election against Flávio Bolsonaro, nor the specific voter turnout figures from the event. The first round of elections was conducted on October 4, necessitating the runoff held on October 25 due to no candidate securing a majority.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s victory in Brazil has been heralded as a significant shift in global politics, with analysts noting its potential implications for leftist movements worldwide. Voter sentiment demonstrated a desire for change, as public protests in support of Lula preceded the runoff election, marking a rejection of far-right ideologies in the region.
What remains unclear — The specific implications of Lula’s victory on Brazil’s international relations are yet to be clarified.
Lula’s election victory in Brazil signals challenges for Farage in the UK
Lula swept to victory over his far-right rival (Picture: Getty Images)
I honestly didn’t expect that an election in South America would ever mean much to someone living in West London.
But today’s news that Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva won a historic fourth term as Brazilian president, defeating his far-right opponent Flávio Bolsonaro, restored the faith I desperately needed in humanity.
Initial elections were held on October 4, when Bolsonaro, son of the disgraced former President Jair, edged ahead.
But given no candidate received more than half of the votes in the first round, a runoff election was held yesterday – and after Lula supporters staged two massive protests in solidarity on Saturday, the incumbent turned the tables and secured his victory.
Meanwhile, Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia’s long-serving authoritarian leader, has been defeated after a student-led opposition movement protested his government.
Brazil has backed a left-wing candidate once again (Picture: Getty)
Sign up for all of the latest stories
In a time when everything feels dark, these two moments are bringing a light back into the world I wasn’t sure was possible.
Now, I want to see the UK follow suit – to fight back against the far-right and realise that not only can elections be one from the left, they should.
I need Andy Burnham to pay attention to what is happening around the world.
And I hope Nigel Farage is watching his back, because his global bedfellows have taken a hell of a beating.
Last night’s results felt like a seismic shift in global politics, and it makes me optimistic for the future, and I don’t want that hope to be extinguished at home.
With Starmer out, I did feel a glimmer of some hope return to my dejected soul this summer as Burnham took over as leader of the Labour Party.
These elections are bad news for Nigel Farage (Picture: Getty)
With the former Manchester mayor proudly declaring himself a ‘socialist’, I wondered whether the Labour Party would begin to return to its roots.
And I hoped that extreme right movements in Britain, in mainstream politics and on the streets, would be beaten back.
While polling doesn’t look good for parties like Reform and Restore, parts of the hard right seem to be as emboldened as ever, with protests against small boats hitting our streets and docks – and figures like Tommy Robinson still a force to be reckoned with.
But Andy Burnham hasn’t yet done enough in reckoning with them.
I need Burnham to create the hope in us that these young people protesting around the world are seeing.
At the moment, the UK has become an increasingly difficult place for most people to live in.
Around 21% of the UK population – roughly 14.2 million people – live in relative poverty, anti-migrant hatred has increased across the country and environmental issues are being swept under the rug.
Student protestors in Serbia also forced a change of government (Picture: Getty)
The real issue in the UK obviously isn’t small boats, Muslims or refugees – it’s the hoarding of wealth, the inequity in our institutions and Thatcher’s old ‘divide and rule’ tactic to get us all to fight each other instead of the handful of people who are actually making life hard for us.
We need to have people in place who care about us – more than the amount of money they’re pocketing by fundraising to go out and slash rescue workers’ boats in the Channel Ocean.
Even the US is seeing change.
After two terms as President, Trump has seen a fall in his approval rating in the latest polls – Americans seem ready to give him a serious bloody nose at the upcoming mid-terms.
With Zohran Mamdani’s democratic socialist views becoming increasingly popular, and Abdul El-Sayed becoming a living, breathing repudiation of Trump’s anti-Muslim bigotry, the tide is beginning to turn.
And rightly so, for too long now the US has been a magnet of hatred and xenophobia – belief systems that have no place in civilised society.
People like Trump and Farage should be scared to see what’s happening around the world.
Brazil’s left-wing victory is a blow for the US, who hoped to take power in South America – stopping a domino effect of authoritarian governments taking more global control.
The world is finally rejecting what people like Farage have to offer.
Of course not every candidate is perfect – even the far-left will have its issues, and we’ve seen much of that play out in our media.
But I would rather a socialist who has saved the Amazon rainforest, over an orange man who just referred to his biggest showbiz fan Nicki Minaj as having a ‘great ass.’
I want to see more people who care about saving the world, than those who only seem to care about how much they can enrich themselves.
With more student protests happening around the world, maybe we’ll see a change across more countries.
And I can only hope that the UK opens its eyes, and Burnham does the right thing.
Because if change doesn’t come from within the corridors of power, it will be brought about by those of us on the streets.
Share your views in the comments below.
Comment now
Comments
Add WTX as a Preferred Source on Google
Local insights
Related Election News
© 2026 WTX News.