TUCSON, Ariz. — Federal investigators say some of the ransom notes tied to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, have been determined to be fraudulent extortion attempts, while others remain under active investigation as potentially genuine, more than five months after the Arizona grandmother vanished from her Tucson home.

In a statement issued to multiple news outlets, an FBI official said the bureau and its task force partners have received several ransom notes over the course of the investigation. “Some have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy,” the official said, adding that “other ransom demands may potentially be legitimate and are still being investigated as such.” The FBI reiterated that the case “continues to be investigated as a kidnapping for ransom case,” though it noted that local authorities remain in charge of overseeing the broader investigation, with federal agents assisting.

The statement came after a Reuters report citing an unnamed FBI official had indicated that three notes connected to the case, including messages sent to media outlets in early February and a more recent note sent to TMZ, had all been determined to be fake. The FBI’s subsequent public statement appeared to walk back or at least complicate that characterization, drawing scrutiny from legal analysts and criminologists who have followed the case closely.

Investigators have said the notes fall into roughly three categories: two notes sent within the first week of Guthrie’s disappearance that investigators believe are likely legitimate, additional notes that could be genuine but lack corroborating details, and a separate set of messages authorities have characterized as opportunistic extortion attempts unrelated to any real knowledge of Guthrie’s whereabouts.

According to details previously reported by news organizations covering the case, the first note arrived on February 2, one day after Guthrie was reported missing from her home just outside Tucson. That message reportedly included specific details about the inside of her house, including the placement of her Apple Watch beside her bed and a broken floodlight on the back porch, details that led investigators to take the note seriously. The note demanded an initial payment of $4 million in bitcoin, threatening an additional $2 million if the deadline was missed. It was sent through tip lines to two local television stations and to TMZ.

A second note arrived four days later, on February 6, and was later determined by the FBI to have originated from the same IP address as the first message, according to law enforcement sources. That note indicated Guthrie had died. In response, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a video statement at the time saying, “We received your message and we understand… This is very valuable to us and we will pay.” According to reports, the family never received further communication from whoever sent the note.

Reflecting on the flood of messages the family has received since her mother’s disappearance, Savannah Guthrie said in a March interview that she believed most of the notes were not genuine. “But I believe the two notes that we received that we responded to, I tend to believe those are real,” she said.

The FBI has not disclosed exactly how many ransom notes it has received in total, describing the number only as “several.” One additional message was reportedly sent to TMZ within the past two weeks, adding to the list of communications investigators are working to authenticate or rule out.

Some experts following the case have expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of any of the notes. Crime scene investigator Sheryl McCollum said she remains doubtful of the communications, noting that whoever sent them has not addressed the physical evidence found at the scene. “I need them to write a letter to explain the blood on the front porch,” she said, adding that she believes investigators may be trying to keep the sender engaged in hopes of eventually identifying the person responsible.

Criminologist Casey Jordan offered a similarly skeptical view, telling a news outlet that she believes none of the notes are likely genuine, largely because none of the messages have included proof of life or proof of death. “There is no reason to believe that they’re real,” Jordan said, adding that details referenced in the notes could plausibly have been drawn from publicly available information rather than firsthand knowledge of Guthrie’s fate.

The investigation has already produced one criminal conviction. In early July, a California man, Derrick Callella, 42, pleaded guilty in federal court to two felony charges, including transmitting a ransom demand across state lines and using a telecommunications device to threaten or harass, in connection with a separate false ransom message sent to the Guthrie family. Prosecutors said Callella had tested positive for drugs at the time of his court appearance. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 10 and faces five years of probation under the terms of his plea agreement.

Guthrie was last seen alive around 9:45 p.m. on January 31, when a family member dropped her off at her home following dinner. She was reported missing the next day, and investigators later found blood near the front doorstep of her residence. The FBI subsequently released doorbell camera footage showing a masked, armed individual outside her home on the night she disappeared, and the bureau has said it continues to analyze DNA evidence recovered from the scene, including a hair sample.

No suspect or motive has been publicly identified in the case, which remains active. A combined reward of $1.2 million is being offered for information leading to Guthrie’s safe recovery. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department tip line or the FBI’s national tip line, as investigators continue working to determine which, if any, of the ransom communications received over the past several months reflect genuine knowledge of what happened to Guthrie.

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Hidden fees at the checkout? The CMA is cracking down on unclear online pricing.

BBC Money Box’s Dan Whitworth explains how to spot extra charges before you buy, and whether you could be entitled to compensation if you’ve been affected.

To watch this with subtitles go to BBC iPlayer and search for Morning Live from 06/07/2026

City centre will be extended as many more new homes planned

A report has offered a glimpse into the major changes coming to Manchester over the next 15 years.

Bosses at the council are creating a blueprint for the city’s future, including expanding the city centre, building more homes, and cementing Manchester’s place as a top place to visit.

The vision has been shared in a report known as the local plan, covering the changes set to take place in the city between 2022 and 2039.

It is at an ‘advanced and final stage’ and is being put before the council’s cabinet team at a public meeting this week.

‘Manchester will be an even more must-see city, with amazing things to do,’ the report claims.

‘Our neighbourhoods will be clean and green, with good-quality affordable homes and good public services. Mancunians will feel safer indoors, outdoors and online.’

The plan includes improvements to the city centre to make it ‘more attractive’ to spend time in, as well as better transport connections.

Areas of ‘core growth’ – where major changes are planned – will see the city centre boundary get bigger.

It will stretch out to the Great Ducie Street area of Strangeways, Ancoats, New Islington, as well as south of town, towards Manchester Science Park, and the Manchester Metropolitan University campus.

Some of the parts of the city earmarked for huge upgrades in the local plan include Sportcity in east Manchester, Strangeways, and Victoria North – an area which includes Collyhurst and some surrounding neighbourhoods.

The redevelopment of North Manchester General Hospital is another major project, which is set to be redeveloped to create a ‘modernised hospital and health facilities’.

Plans around the hospital include building new housing, office spaces, and shops.

The local plan is set to move to a six-week public consultation later this year, with adoption planned for summer 2027.

The report states: ‘Manchester is a dynamic city, it continues to see strong population and economic growth.

‘Through a myriad of initiatives seeking to tackle inequalities and ensuring our residents benefit from our success, we have seen new homes across all tenures and new jobs in both traditional and new sectors.

‘We’ve seen many parts of the city go through physical changes, with new housing allowing more people to live here.

‘As more businesses have invested here, further jobs opportunities have been created for people across all our neighbourhoods. Our residents are better connected with improved transport and can enjoy a varied culture and leisure scene.

‘As we move towards a zero-carbon future, we’re recycling more, and our parks have been protected and developed for all.

‘However, there remains a demand for more housing, including genuinely affordable new homes, and provision for accommodation for supported care and for students attracted to our world class universities.

‘There also remains significant levels of economic inactivity (due to poor health) which we are committed to tackle. The updated Local Plan seeks to provide those spatial policies that can address growth, inclusivity, poverty, health, housing, climate change and transport.’

Deputy Interior Minister Jeseth Thaiseth has initiated a meeting to address Thailand’s emergency response to a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Venezuela, preparing USAR Thailand for potential deployment.

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Key Points

• Deputy Interior Minister Jeseth Thaiseth has called a meeting to assess the aftermath of a powerful earthquake in Venezuela and coordinate Thailand’s emergency response efforts. The earthquake, initially measured at 7.2 and later at 7.5, struck on June 25, 5:05 a.m. Thailand time, near Caracas.
• The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has set up a 24/7 monitoring team and is preparing USAR Thailand for potential deployment if an international assistance request arises. The deployment plan includes a 46-member response team, three rescue dogs, and specialized equipment.
• USAR Thailand, the national urban search and rescue team, holds INSARAG External Classification certification, affirming its compliance with international standards for humanitarian missions both in Thailand and abroad.

Deputy Interior Minister Jeseth Thaiseth has convened a meeting to review the situation after a powerful earthquake struck Venezuela and to oversee Thailand’s emergency response preparations. The earthquake occurred on June 25 at 5:05 a.m. Thailand time, with its epicenter about 160 kilometers west of Caracas. An initial magnitude 7.2 quake was followed by a stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has established a team to monitor developments around the clock while preparing USAR Thailand for possible deployment if an official request for international assistance is received.

The deployment plan includes a 46-member core response team, three search-and-rescue dogs, and specialized rescue equipment. Personnel from several government agencies and partner organizations have confirmed they are ready for immediate deployment.

USAR Thailand is the country’s national urban search and rescue team and has received INSARAG External Classification certification from the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, confirming that it meets internationally recognized standards for humanitarian search and rescue missions in Thailand and overseas. 

Source : Thailand Prepares Team for Venezuela Earthquake Response

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Raymond shares rose nearly 4% on Monday after the company appointed former Bharat Electronics chief Bhanu Prakash Srivastava as the chief executive officer (CEO) of its defence business. The stock gained nearly 4% to hit an intraday high of Rs 632 on the NSE. It later gave up some gains and was last trading at Rs 622.5, up 2.4%.

Raymond said in an exchange filing that Srivastava has been appointed CEO-Defence as the company looks to expand in the defence and aerospace sector.

Srivastava has nearly 40 years of experience at Bharat Electronics (BEL), where he worked across defence technologies, programme execution and organisation building. He also served as chairman and managing director of BEL.

At Raymond, he will lead the company’s defence business. He will be responsible for its strategy, operations and growth plans.

During his tenure as chairman and managing director of BEL, Srivastava oversaw the company’s market value increase from about Rs 51,000 crore to Rs 1.5 lakh crore. BEL also secured more than Rs 55,000 crore in new orders and launched over 100 products during this period.

He has worked on programmes in radar systems, naval and sonar systems, missiles, electronic warfare and tactical communications. He also supported indigenous defence capabilities and helped set up AI incubation centres.
Raymond said Srivastava will focus on building its long-term defence strategy. The company plans to expand its engineering capabilities into defence electronics, software, systems integration and related aerospace and automotive technologies.Raymond Chairman and Managing Director Gautam Singhania said India’s defence sector is entering a new phase of growth and self-reliance. He said this creates opportunities for companies with strong engineering capabilities.

Singhania said Srivastava’s experience in handling complex defence programmes and building large organisations makes him the right person to lead Raymond’s defence business.

Srivastava said he is joining Raymond at an important point in its growth journey. He said India’s focus on local defence manufacturing opens up strong opportunities for the company.

He said Raymond will look to build technology-led solutions, form strategic partnerships and create a defence business that can compete globally.

Shares of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri FCT 10.60%increase; up pointing triangle jumped after the group said it had sealed agreements to acquire stakes in four companies to shore up its operations across marine construction support, unmanned underwater and surface drone technologies, and underwater wireless communication systems.

The company said it was taking stakes in Next Geosolutions Europe NXT -3.34%decrease; down pointing triangle, which operates in the offshore renewable energy, offshore oil and gas and subsea cable sectors; WSense, which specializes in underwater monitoring and communication systems; Defcomm, active in the design and construction of unmanned surface vehicles; and Graal Tech, which makes underwater robotic technologies.

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