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Biden Offers Humanitarian Relief to Ukrainians in the US

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FILE - Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas listens during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Nov. 16, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Biden administration offered humanitarian relief to Ukrainians in the United States on Thursday, March 3, 2022, which could protect thousands from being deported to their war-torn homeland. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration offered humanitarian relief to Ukrainians in the United States on Thursday, which could protect thousands from being deported to their war-torn homeland.

Ukrainians can remain in the country for up to 18 months under the federal program known as Temporary Protected Status. In order to be eligible for the protection, individuals would have to have been in the U.S. since at least Tuesday.

The administration said the decision was made because of the Russian invasion into Ukraine, which marks the largest conventional military action in Europe since World War II. The invasion has caused a humanitarian crisis that has caused more than 1 million people to flee.

“Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence” that has forced Ukrainians “to seek refuge in other countries,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said.

As many as 30,000 Ukrainians in the United States may benefit, according to the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank.

Pressure had been mounting on the Biden administration from lawmakers from both parties, including the Senate’s top Democrat, to grant the status to Ukrainians.

Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said: “Ukrainians around the world are experiencing the fear and uncertainty caused by President Putin’s premeditated and unprovoked invasion of their country.”

“I applaud President Biden for taking decisive action so that Ukrainians can stay safely in America,” he said in a statement.

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said “after a week of Vladimir Putin’s illegal and ruthless war against the people of Ukraine,” it was the right thing to do.

He said he was heartened that “President Biden is once again making clear the United States will not relent in its support for the people of Ukraine in this dark moment in history.”

Refugee advocates also applauded the move. More than 177 organizations signed a letter sent to the administration last week requesting Ukrainians be offered the relief.

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, called it “a concrete show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Protecting Ukrainian families from deportation is the least we can do amid a Russian onslaught that has targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

Citizens from a dozen countries are in the United States under the program designated for people fleeing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions.

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Politics

King Charles Strips Prince Andrew of All Royal Titles, Now Known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor

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LONDON (FNN) – In a historic and unprecedented decision, King Charles has stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of all royal titles, including “Prince,” effectively removing him from the public and formal life of the British monarchy.

Buckingham Palace confirmed Thursday, October 30, 2025, that Andrew, 65, will no longer be referred to as His Royal Highness or by any of his former peerages. Instead, he will be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles, and Honours of Prince Andrew,” Buckingham Palace said in an official statement. “Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.”

Royal Titles and Honors Revoked

Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, had held the title of Duke of York since 1986, as well as Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, all granted on his wedding day to Sarah Ferguson. Those titles, along with his honors as a Knight of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, have now been revoked.

The move also affects his long-term residence. Andrew has been ordered to surrender his lease at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he has lived for decades.

“His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence,” the palace said. “Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.”

The statement emphasized that these measures were necessary “notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”

Epstein Scandal and Royal Family Reaction

The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and ongoing public backlash over past allegations of misconduct. While Andrew continues to deny all accusations, palace insiders say the King’s decision reflects concerns about the monarchy’s integrity and public image.

“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse,” the statement concluded.

According to royal sources, King Charles used his Royal Prerogative—a power allowing the sovereign to manage royal titles and honors without parliamentary approval—to finalize the move. The decision reportedly has the support of Prince William and other senior members of the royal family.

The last time a British royal was formally stripped of a title was in 1917, when Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, lost his titles under the Titles Deprivation Act after swearing allegiance to Germany during World War I.

With this move, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor becomes the first modern royal to be fully divested of all royal status by a reigning monarch.


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Central Florida News

Orange County Mayor Demings Breaks Ground on $7 Million Osprey Sound Affordable Housing Community for Seniors

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Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – Orange County leaders broke ground today on Osprey Sound, a new 100-unit affordable apartment community for seniors located at 5453 Rio Grande Avenue.

Developed by Denver-based Ulysses Development Group, Osprey Sound will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom units designed for residents aged 62 and older earning at or below 70 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).

The County supported the project with a $7 million investment from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund, in addition to $378,000 in impact fee waivers to help make the development possible.

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, District 6 Commissioner Michael Scott, and District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe attended the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the milestone.

“With housing developments like these, we are moving the needle in our community to make housing more affordable,” said Mayor Demings. “The seniors living here will be incredibly blessed with a good place to live. This is going to uplift the entire community.”

Since the creation of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in 2020, Orange County has allocated $58 million to support more than a dozen affordable housing projects, creating nearly 2,400 new affordable units. In October 2025, the Board of County Commissioners approved an additional $58.5 million investment over the next three years, expected to create or preserve an estimated 3,570 affordable housing units.

Set to open in Spring 2027, Osprey Sound will feature a variety of modern amenities, including:

  • In-unit washers and dryers

  • Stainless steel appliances

  • Walk-in closets

  • A fitness center

  • A business center

  • Multipurpose space for resident activities and crafts

  • A swimming pool

The Osprey Sound project underscores Orange County’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to affordable housing and improving quality of life for seniors across Central Florida.

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Politics

42 Million Americans Face Food Insecurity as SNAP Ends; No Kings Alliance Mobilizes Communities

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (FNN) – With the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) officially ending on November 1, more than 42 million Americans, including 16 million children and 8 million seniors, are expected to lose access to food assistance. The No Kings Alliance, the new rapid response arm of the No Kings movement, is calling for a nationwide mutual aid response to prevent widespread hunger and hardship.

1. National Food Aid Crisis

The Trump Administration’s decision to halt SNAP funding has left millions at risk of food insecurity. As a result, 25 states have filed lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), accusing the agency of unlawfully withholding critical food aid funding. The loss of SNAP will have devastating impacts on vulnerable families across the country, particularly those already struggling with inflation and rising food costs.

2. No Kings Alliance Mobilizes Communities

In response, the No Kings Alliance is urging Americans to take immediate action by supporting local food banks, shelters, and mutual aid networks. The organization outlined three key ways to make a difference:

  • Donate to local food banks: Financial contributions help provide direct aid to families impacted by the SNAP shutdown.

  • Collect and distribute supplies: Donate food, clothing, menstrual products, and essentials to local shelters and community aid groups.

  • Host a give-back drive: Organize food or supply drives in your neighborhood. Visit NoKings.org to learn how to get started.

3. Building Resistance and Solidarity

The No Kings Alliance emphasizes its commitment to nonviolent action and collective resistance to what it calls “authoritarian power grabs” by the Trump Administration. The group plans to announce regular opportunities for direct action and mutual aid through its online platform at NoKings.org/alliance.

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News@FloridaNationalNews.com

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