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A nine-month-old boy will grow up without his parents after an alleged drunk driver slammed into their car at a high rate of speed — killing them both months before their wedding.

Jacob Hahn, 24, and Savannah Harding, 22, were killed while driving westbound on Fremont Pike in Ohio on the night of Dec. 9 after the alleged drunk driver, Samantha Hammons, rear-ended their vehicle, causing it to spin into oncoming traffic, according to WTVG.

The force of impact from Hammons speeding Kia Soul caused the couple’s car to be fatally struck by an eastbound Dodge Journey.

Hahn and Harding were pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind their infant son, Beckett.

The Elmore couple were engaged to be married next June.

Hammons, 55, from Toledo, is charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and was booked in the Wood County Jail, documents from the Perrysburg Municipal Court show. 7 Samantha Hammons was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. Wood County Sheriff's Office

The reckless drivers two adult daughters were in the backseat of their mothers Kia when she caused the fatal crash, according to police.

Hammons, including her daughters, were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The driver of the Dodge Journey was also taken in for minor injuries but was later released.

Hammons was under the influence of alcohol d before getting behind the wheel, according to the court documents. 7 Jacob Hahn and Savannah Harding had just welcomed their son, Beckett, to the world nine months ago. Jacob Hahn / Facebook

My heart aches so much now that you are gone, Hardings sister, Brooklyn, wrote in a somber Facebook post, referring to the couple as the sweetest souls.

Life is so unfair. All because of a drunk driver. Taking my only sister/sibling away from me.

You were one of my biggest role models growing up. You made me a first time aunt to little Beckett. I will always be there for him. We all will, Brooklyn shared.

Brooklyn vowed to honor her sisters memory and will fight for justice following the couples senseless deaths. 7 The young couple were engaged to be married next June. Jacob Hahn / Facebook 7 Hammons’ charges carry a mandatory prison sentence of two to eight years Jacob Hahn / Facebook

Brooke Johnson, Hahns cousin, wrote shes sad, but mostly angry after news broke of her loved one and his fiances were killed by the reckless drunk behind the wheel.

Angry that an irresponsible and reckless woman took away the lives of two very young people who truly just started living theirs, Johnson wrote in a Facebook post.

My heart is completely broken for sweet Beckett, because he will never get to know how amazing his parents were, and how much they loved him! 7 A family member wrote how excited Hahn was to become a father when he found out Harding was pregnant. Jacob Hahn / Facebook

In her heartfelt post, Johnson shared how excited Hahn was to become a father.

The best call I ever got from him was when he facetimed me to tell me he was going to be a DAD! He flipped the camera to a sign that said they were expecting, and I yelled Shut the f*** up! And he just laughed, but I could tell he was scared to death, but so happy!

In the wake of the tragedy, businesses and community groups in Elmore have organized fundraising events to support the orphaned infant and family. 

None of us can take away the pain away, but we can help to ease the burden that is left behind, Jes Reynolds, the owner of Unvaulted Treasures, one of the participating businesses, told WTOL 11. 7 The young couple was pronounced dead at the scene after their car spun into an eastbound lane. Jacob Hahn / Facebook

Reynolds store has been stacking up donations, including clothing, blankets, diapers, and other items for Backett.

DeSTAZios, a pizzeria in Elmore, donated 100% of their profits to the cause on Wednesday, sharing that they had completely sold out of products to sell before the day was up.

We actually had a number of people come in and just make donations and didnt even buy a pizza. Everyone just wants to support this family, co-owner Connie DeStazio told the outlet. 7 Businesses and community groups in Elmore have organized fundraising events to support the orphaned infant and family.  Jacob Hahn / Facebook

Elmore is about 18 miles northwest of Toledo.

A judge set Hammons bond at $500,000.

Hammons charges are second-degree felonies in Ohio and carry a mandatory prison sentence of two to eight years, along with a lifetime license suspension if shes found guilty.

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Chancellor insists Labour rebels ‘know the welfare system needs reform’ as they push for change

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Chancellor insists Labour rebels 'know the welfare system needs reform' as they push for change

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted that rebelling Labour MPs “know the welfare system needs reform” as the government faces a growing backlash over planned cuts.

Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure from Labour MPs, with about 40 in the Red Wall – the party’s traditional heartlands in the north of England – warning the prime minister’s welfare plan is “impossible to support” in its current form.

Dozens have thrown their support behind a letter urging the government to “delay” the proposals, which they blasted as “the biggest attack on the welfare state” since Tory austerity.

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Ms Reeves on Friday reiterated her plans for reform, insisting that no-one, including Labour MPs and party members, “thinks that the current welfare system created by the Conservative Party is working today”.

She said: “They know that the system needs reform. We do need to reform how the welfare system works if we’re going to grow our economy.”

But, the chancellor added, if the government is going to lift people out of poverty “the focus has got to be on supporting people into work”.

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“Of course if you can’t work, the welfare state must always be there for you, and with this government it will be,” she said.

The reforms, announced ahead of Ms Reeves’s spring statement in March, include cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), one of the main types of disability benefit, and a hike in the universal credit standard allowance.

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UK and US trade deal will save thousands of UK jobs – PM
Starmer faces rebellion from Labour MPs over welfare reforms

The government has claimed that changes to welfare will cut the budget by £4.8bn overall.

Separately, Downing Street refused on Friday to deny that Ms Reeves has consulted on potentially overhauling their winter fuel payment policy.

Labour’s unpopular decision to means-test the policy has taken the benefit away from millions of pensioners.

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Ministers have faced pressure from their own backbenchers to rethink the policy in the wake of last week’s local election results, which saw Labour lose the Runcorn by-election and control of Doncaster Council to Reform UK.

Asked if the chancellor has discussed the winter fuel payment in private, the prime minister’s spokesperson said they would not give a running commentary.

Pushed again, Number 10 said a “range” of discussions take place in government – which is not a denial.

However, it is worth noting that when reports emerged earlier this week that Downing Street was reviewing the policy, the government strongly pushed back on that suggestion.

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Ten explosions near international airport in India-administered part of Kashmir, officials say

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Ten explosions near international airport in India-administered part of Kashmir, officials say

Ten explosions have been heard near Srinagar International Airport in India-administered parts of Kashmir, officials have told Reuters news agency.

The blasts followed blackouts caused by multiple projectiles, which were seen in the sky above the city of Jammu earlier on Friday.

Explosions were also heard in the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, in the neighbouring Punjab state, according to Reuters.

An Indian military official told the agency that “drones have been sighted” and “they are being engaged”.

It comes as tensions between India and Pakistan across the line of control around the region of Kashmir have boiled over this week, leading to fears of a wider conflict.

Map of where explosions were reported in Kashmir and from where

On Wednesday morning, India carried out missile strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered parts of the disputed region.

The retaliation came weeks after 26 people, mainly Indian tourists, were shot dead by gunmen in an India-administered part of Kashmir last month.

The government in India said it hit nine “terrorist infrastructure” sites, while Pakistan said it was not involved in the April attack and the sites were not militant bases.

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Explained: India-Pakistan conflict

Around 48 people have been killed since Wednesday, according to casualty estimates on both sides – which have not been independently verified.

India also suspended its top cricket tournament, the Indian Premier League, as a result of rising tensions, while the Pakistan Super League moved the remainder of its season to the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a conference on Friday that the US is in constant contact with both India and Pakistan.

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World

Russia’s Victory Day parade felt more like a celebration of war than peace

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Russia's Victory Day parade felt more like a celebration of war than peace

Standing on Red Square, this was an intimidating sight, which felt much more like a celebration of war rather than peace.

I could feel the ground shake as the tanks rolled past, their caterpillar tracks on the ancient cobbles providing a deafening clatter.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up in fear as the phalanxes of troops roared “Hurrah” in response to their commander in chief.

And the sight of combat drones being paraded on their launchers was actually quite sickening. Weapons that have been at the forefront of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine were paraded in a show of pomp and patriotism.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping
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Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin watch the procession. Pic: Reuters

Ukraine war latest: Putin welcomes Xi at Victory Day parade

For the rest of Europe, the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War has been a celebration of peace, but this felt much more like a celebration of war.

And it wasn’t just military hardware on display here, but the very identity of modern Russia.

A general view shows Red Square during a military parade on Victory Day, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in central Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2025. Vladimir Astapkovich/Host agency RIA Novosti/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
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Pic: Reuters

For this is a country that is now defined by its military and its memory. The glory and sacrifice of 1945 have been weaponised to give credence to Russia’s current course and to make people believe that victory is their right.

For Russians, it served as a rallying cry and there was applause when the troops who have fought against Ukraine marched past.

But for those watching in Kyiv and other European capitals, it was an overt warning that Moscow has no intention of backing down.

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Putin hails sacrifice of Russian troops

The parade was considerably larger in scale than in recent years, when units and hardware have been needed on the battlefield. I think it was a deliberate attempt to project an image of confidence, and so was Vladimir Putin‘s positioning of his guests.

China’s Xi Jinping was given a prime position on the Kremlin leader’s right-hand side. It was no surprise given the economic lifeline Beijing has provided, but it felt like a particularly pointed gesture to the West – that they were looking at a new world order.

Despite that appearance of confidence, there were signs of Moscow’s unease that the parade could be disrupted.

There were snipers on every rooftop. Security was extremely tight. And the mobile internet signal across the city centre was completely shut down for fear of Ukrainian drone attacks, meaning none of the international media that had gathered could broadcast any live transmissions.

After the parade finished, Putin saluted the crowds as they spontaneously erupted into rhythmic shouts of “Rus-si-ya” at the sight of him.

Another PR coup complete without interruption, he will have departed as a very happy man.

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