INTERNACIONAL
Munich Oktoberfest fairgrounds closed after bomb threat and deadly explosion
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German police closed the Oktoberfest fairgrounds Wednesday morning following a bomb threat from the suspected perpetrator of an explosion in northern Munich, city officials said.
At least one person’s death was believed to be connected to the explosion at a residential building early Wednesday, which Munich police said was deliberately set on fire and part of a domestic dispute.
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Security people stand in the area of Oktoberfest that stays closed after a bomb threat in Munich, Germany, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
It was not immediately clear whether the deceased was the suspected perpetrator or someone else. Another person, who was not considered to be a danger to the public, remained missing.
Specialized teams were called to the scene to defuse booby traps in the building, police said. Photos from the area also showed a burned-out van.
MASSIVE WWII BOMB FORCES OVERNIGHT EVACUATION OF 6,000 RESIDENTS FROM HOMES
Authorities investigate the scene of a car fire, close to the house fire reportedly set on purpose amid a domestic dispute, on Oct. 1, 2025, in the Lerchenau area of Munich, Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
Officials discovered the bomb threat to Oktoberfest in a letter from the alleged perpetrator. Police searched the fairgrounds for other explosive devices and asked workers to leave the area. Authorities said the festival will be closed at least until 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) Wednesday.
This year’s Oktoberfest began on Sept. 20 and ends Oct. 5. The world’s largest beer festival usually attracts up to 6 million visitors.
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Police and a police dog are seen on the Munich Oktoberfest beer festival grounds on Oct. 1, 2025, after Oktoberfest was closed over a bomb threat as police investigated a deadly incident elsewhere in Munich in which a house was rigged with explosives and burned. (ALEXANDRA BEIER/AFP via Getty Images)
In 1980, Oktoberfest was the target of a deadly neo-Nazi attack. The bombing on the evening of Sept. 26, 1980 claimed 13 lives, including that of three children and the attacker, student Gundolf Koehler, a supporter of a banned far-right group. More than 200 people were wounded.
germany,associated press,europe,bombings,terrorism,crime
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Local authorities in the UK have dramatically increased their use of drones, fueling fears that the government is monitoring or even snooping on people from above, according to reports.
Data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show that more than 60 councils have hired staff certified to operate aerial drones, while at least a dozen other authorities are looking for guidance to launch similar programs.
Because the CAA only records pilots sponsored by their employers, experts in the UK have since warned the real number of publicly funded drone operators could be even higher.
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A drone is seen in the sky as Chinese drone maker DJI holds a demonstration to display an app that tracks a drone’s registration and owner in Montreal, Canada, Nov. 3, 2019. (Reuters)
UK watchdog group Big Brother Watch has accused local governments of drifting toward «spies in the sky» tactics that further erode civil liberties in a nation already covered by widespread CCTV monitoring.
Jake Hurfurt, head of research and investigations, cautioned that while drones can support legitimate tasks such as flood monitoring or land surveys, they must not become tools for unchecked surveillance.
«There may be a role for drones in helping councils monitor flooding or conduct land surveys, but local authorities must not use the technology as spies in the sky» he said.
«Britain is already one of the most surveilled countries on Earth. With CCTV cameras on street corners, we do not need flying cameras too. Councils must make sure that they do not use this technology for intrusive monitoring of their citizens.»
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UK local authorities have expanded their use of drones, fueling fears that the government is increasingly monitoring citizens. (Neil Hall/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
«Just because it’s possible, it does not mean it’s something they should do,» he added.
Previously, Hurfurt also criticized London’s Metropolitan Police’s use of drones as first responders, warning that the rollout is occurring without clear policies governing when, how or why drones can be deployed.
Without safeguards, he said, the technology risks becoming airborne CCTV or, worse, a way to monitor lawful protest activity.
«Without robust safeguards, there is a real risk of mission creep and drones becoming flying CCTV cameras or watching people lawfully protesting,» he said in a statement shared online.
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A police woman holds a drone during a demonstration of the Metropolitan Police’s new Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot program at Islington Police Station. (Lucy North/PA Images via Getty Images)
«The Metropolitan Police must be transparent about its thresholds for using drones and take care to balance the rights of Londoners with the purported benefits of drone use,» he added.
Despite the concerns, Hammersmith and Fulham Council plans to integrate drones into its 70-member law enforcement team, which issued more than 2,200 fines last year.
The borough says drones will help in combating antisocial behavior, supplementing a lack of police manpower and work alongside CCTV equipped with live facial recognition.
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Sunderland currently operates the largest known council drone fleet, with 13 aircraft and multiple trained pilots.
Their drones are used to detect and prevent crime, enforce environmental rules and oversee public gatherings.
Other councils, including North West Leicestershire, Stockton-on-Tees, Newcastle, North Norfolk and Thurrock are also said to be using drones for everything from planning enforcement to monitoring coastal disputes, according to GB News.
drones,tech,united kingdom
INTERNACIONAL
En un video dirigido a los jóvenes, Juan Carlos reivindica el rol de la monarquía durante la Transición española: “Que podáis conocer la historia sin distorsiones interesadas”
“Os pido que apoyéis a mi hijo”
El teniente coronel de la Guardia Civil española Antonio Tejaro, en esta foto de archivo del 23 de febrero de 1981, con una pistola en la mano, dentro del Congreso de los Diputados en Madrid. Foto EFEINTERNACIONAL
West Coast city snubs ‘Christmas’ from tree lighting again while activists wave Palestinian flag onstage
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Portland, Oregon, is under fire for again hosting its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and nixing any mention of the Christian holiday, while leaders of the event instead waved a Palestinian flag and led the crowd in chants.
«Free, free, free Palestine,» a woman holding a Palestinian flag on stage of the lighting event said while leading the crowd in a chant Friday evening, before also singing the «Strong Woman Song» while joined by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, which is a confederation of three native tribes in Oregon.
The event was decked out in Christmas lights, a traditionally decorated tree and a visit from Santa Claus, but did not promote any mention of Christmas, with organizers instead advertising the festive occasion as «Portland’s 41st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony,» according to social media accounts for Pioneer Courthouse Square, where the tree is displayed.
Fox News Digital reviewed the Portland government’s Facebook, X and Instagram accounts and found advertisements and footage showing the tree lighting, but did not include the word «Christmas.» A calendar for the annual event shows organizers have bypassed calling it a «Christmas» tree lighting event going back to at least 2019.
ICONIC DC LANDMARK UNVEILS FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE AS PART OF PUSH TO REVIVE HOLIDAY SPIRIT
Portland, Oregon, is under fire for not mentioning Christmas while promoting its annual tree lighting in a local square. (Getty Images)
«Portland’s Tree is lit!» one caption on an Instagram video shared by the Portland, Oregon, Instagram account stated.
«Portland’s 41st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by SmartPark is tonight!» another message shared on social media by both the Portland, Oregon, government and Pioneer Courthouse Square stated.
«Celebrate the highlight of the Downtown Holiday Season as Santa Claus flips the switch, illuminating more than 9,500 colorful LED lights to shine bright on our City’s 75’ Douglas-fir, generously donated by Stimson Lumber for all to enjoy. SEE YOU TONIGHT, PORTLAND!» it added.
Social media commenters sounded off online that the deep blue city refused to mention the word «Christmas.»
«The City of Portland and local media outlets are calling this ‘The Tree’ because they despise Christians like me and many of you so much they can’t bring themselves to say the word ‘Christmas,’» independent journalist David Medina posted to X.
Conservative social media critics say the recent Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland, Oregon, did not include any mention of Christmas. (Fred de Noyelle via Getty Images)
«They can’t even say Christmas tree in Portland. They call it ‘the tree,’» another conservative account posted to X in response to a video Medina posted.
BIRTHPLACE OF JESUS TO RESUME CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AFTER WAR FORCED A TWO-YEAR PAUSE
«Thousands came to the Christmas tree lighting — and many told me parts of the program felt like political messaging that was out of place and inappropriate for a family event. Why are our public traditions being pulled into ideology and virtue signaling instead of serving the community? Portland deserves events that unite us, not moments that push someone’s narrative,» community journalism outlet PDX Real posted to X.
«In Portland they’re trying to take the Christmas out of Christmas tree. It’s a Christmas tree, it’s always been a Christmas tree, and it will always be a Christmas tree. These people will slowly take everything until there’s nothing left if given the opportunity,» one social media account posted.
A handful of local media outlets described the Christmas tree as a «holiday tree» in headlines, while others did refer to the event as a «Christmas tree lighting,» as did some local officials on their social media accounts, Fox News Digital found.
Democratic Portland Mayor Keith Wilson’s office also explicitly called the event a «Christmas Tree Lighting» in response to Fox News Digital while brushing off the criticisms of the event.
«Mayor Wilson was delighted to join Portland’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting alongside Christmas carolers and holiday festivities,» Wilson’s office said when asked about the criticisms. «That said, framing it otherwise feels like quite the reach.»
Pioneer Courthouse Square has displayed the main Portland, Oregon, Christmas tree stretching back decades. (Craig Mitchelldyer/Getty Images)
‘ANARCHISTS ILLEGALLY TOOK THEM DOWN,’ NOW PORTLAND IS PUTTING STATUES OF LINCOLN AND ROOSEVELT BACK UP
The tree lighting ceremony also included a group of women, including the woman holding a Palestinian flag singing the «Strong Woman Song,» which is an intertribal indigenous song. A representative from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs championed that the lighting ceremony was held on the same day as Native American Heritage Day.
«On this Native American Heritage Day, I hold both gratitude and truth,» one woman said from the stage. «The tree that we stand beside was once rooted in its own home bringing it here holds a complexity that indigenous people, tribal peoples feel deeply in our teachings, the trees, rivers, mountains, all living beings are family more than the objects and more than the symbols that they might stand for.»
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The Oregon event was attended by thousands, according to local media, with many revelers telling outlets that they were thrilled to take part in the long-running tradition.
oregon,christmas
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