Washington casino death prompts murder charge after alleged fentanyl poisoning
Police in Ridgefield, Washington say 34-year-old Raylin Benzie targeted a wealthy gambler at the ilani Casino Hotel, agreed to go to his room for 1,200 dollars, then allegedly used fentanyl after admitting she had left her usual GHB at home. The 38-year-old victim, identified in documents as Arslan, was later found dead. Surveillance shows Benzie entering in leopard print, staying about an hour, then returning with another man. Court records say she texted a friend, “I panicked and did something dumb, I need out of here please,” and acquaintances told investigators she had discussed seducing and robbing wealthy men. Benzie has been charged with first-degree murder, controlled substances homicide, placing poison in a drink, first-degree robbery, and second-degree theft. Bail is set at 10 million dollars, and trial is scheduled for January 26, 2026.
Knicks lose Jalen Brunson to ankle injury in loss to Magic
New York’s night went from bad to limping as Jalen Brunson exited in the fourth with a right ankle issue and the Knicks fell 124 to 107 in Orlando. A two-for-one special no one ordered.
UK prison row over transgender unit collides with a spike in mistaken releases
At HMP Downview in Surrey, a transgender-only E Wing still holds five inmates who mix with the wider women’s population during daytime activities. Critics say the setup breaches the Equality Act’s single-sex provisions and a Supreme Court ruling. Local MP Rebecca Paul accuses the prison of allowing mixing without adequate supervision and knowingly breaking the law. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the ruling must be implemented in full. The Ministry of Justice insists there is no delay, says the unit is separate, and is reviewing the implications, which sounds a lot like idling in bureaucratic traffic. The Times reports there is no plan to move the inmates. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary David Lammy faces a separate fiasco, four mistaken prisoner releases since his strongest-ever checks began, contributing to 91 wrongful releases since April. No 10 calls the tally shocking, and the opposition has already road tested the nickname Calamity Lammy. The department’s answer, another policy review, because of course it is.
Subprime auto delinquencies hit highest level on record
The share of lower-credit borrowers falling behind on car payments is now the worst in data going back to 1993. Consider it a flashing dashboard light for an auto finance machine that loves to floor it on risky lending, right up until the engine knocks.
EPP joins right-wing allies to weaken EU corporate reporting rules
The European Parliament approved a package easing corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements, with the center-right EPP teaming up with conservative and far-right MEPs to pass it. Brussels calls it streamlining, the C-suite calls it a relief, and accountability appears to have called in sick.
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